WNBA players have fired a warning shot at the league.
On Monday, the WNBAPA released statement announcing they were opting out of their current CBA which was set to expire in 2027 and will now out on Oct. 31, 2025.
WNBA president and Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike said that opting out of the CBA was not about getting bigger paychecks but ‘claiming rightful share of business’
“We are ready to lead transformational change — change that goes beyond women’s sports and sets a precedent for something greater,” Ogwumike said. “Opting out isn’t just about bigger paychecks — it’s about claiming our rightful share of the business we’ve built, improving working conditions, and securing a future where the success we create benefits today’s players and the generations to come. We’re not just asking for a CBA that reflects our value; we’re demanding it, because we’ve earned it.”
The WNBPA Board of Player Representatives and WNBPA Executive Committee have decided to opt out of the 2020 WNBA/WNBPA CBA on behalf of the collective.
It's Business.#BetOnWomen
🎥:@Tubi
Seattle Storm (YouTube) pic.twitter.com/zZoOdfMoDE— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) October 21, 2024
According to The Athletic, the players are threatening a work stoppage if they don’t get want they want in a new deal.
Via NY Times
A union source confirmed to The Athletic that players are prepared to negotiate for as long as it takes to reach a new agreement, even if it means a work stoppage. ESPN was first to report on a potential stoppage. However, both sides appear willing to enter the talks with good faith efforts to strike a new agreement and avoid a lapse in gameplay.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert responded to Ogwumike’s statement.
“With the historic 2024 WNBA season now in the books, we look forward to working together with the players and the WNBPA on a new CBA that is fair for all and lays the foundation for growth and success for years to come”