While many players felt Thursday\u2019s CBA meeting was a \u201cwasted opportunity\u201d and said little-to-no progress was achieved, Engelbert said she thought the gathering with 40-plus players and league stakeholders was \u201cconstructive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had candid dialogue, and this is part of the process,\u201d Engelbert said. \u201cI fully respect the players who are listening. They\u2019re listening to our owners, and we\u2019re kind of in the middle of the league trying to make sure we\u2019re setting this league up for success for decades. And that\u2019s the goal. To have a fair CBA for all.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Both sides want to write out a \u201ctransformational\u201d CBA, but the WNBA and players\u2019 union have different viewpoints on what that might look like.<\/p>\n
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Picture: Steph Chambers\/Getty Images\/AFPSource: AFP<\/p>\n
It took the league five months to counter the union\u2019s initial proposals, and the WNBA\u2019s response was not well received among players.<\/p>\n
Some called it \u201cdisrespectful\u201d and said the two parties are oceans away on important issues, especially in terms of creating a robust revenue sharing model that allows players to benefit as the WNBA\u2019s popularity and profitability continues to grow.<\/p>\n
Union president Nneka Ogwumike said she interpreted the league\u2019s initial response to include fixed salary-cap numbers. But Engelbert refuted that, saying it\u2019s \u201cnot accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been talking about different ways to do revenue sharing,\u201d she said. \u201cYou\u2019ll see the revenue sharing be a much more lucrative one as we go forward because we\u2019re in a better place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to significantly increase their salary and benefits while balancing with our owners their ability to have a path of profitability as well to continued investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The union\u2019s stern stance on implementing a fluid revenue sharing system is rooted in the fact that the league has a new 11-year media rights deal valued at $2.2 billion starting in 2026. They also took note that the WNBA\u2019s most recent expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia coughed up a whopping $250 million to buy in.<\/p>\n
Engelbert mentioned that national viewership year-over-year is up 23 per cent, attendance is the highest it\u2019s been in decades and merchandise sales shattered previous records \u2014 all promising stats that show the league\u2019s surge in popularity.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Clark with Sabrina Ionescu. Picture: Steph Chambers\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Players see those numbers and want their fair share. They used the opportunity of the nationally televised All-Star Game to make a statement.<\/p>\n
Not only did players wear the shirts, but Mystics guard Brittney Sykes also held up a \u201cPay The Players\u201d sign when she was presented the All-Star Game\u2019s MVP trophy.<\/p>\n
Breanna Stewart, a member of the WNBPA executive committee, said the demonstration likely would\u2019ve happened regardless of how Thursday\u2019s tempestuous meeting went.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to do something united,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cWe have strength in numbers, and we know that we don\u2019t always have this opportunity to be together like this. So making a statement where everyone will see it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The union has said it\u2019s preparing for a work stoppage when the current CBA expires Oct. 31. Engelbert said she has \u201cconfidence\u201d a deal can be struck before the Halloween deadline, but also said she\u2019s \u201cnot going to put an exact date on it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re in a good place and we\u2019re going back and forth,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The current CBA was signed in January 2020. But there\u2019s extra urgency to get this deal done by the deadline so teams can prepare for the Toronto and Portland expansion drafts, which are expected to take place in December. Rules for expansion drafts are part of the CBA, so teams don\u2019t know what to expect yet.<\/p>\n
Brittney Sykes of the Washington Mystics holds a “Pay the Players” sign. Picture: Steph Chambers\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Free agency, which usually starts in late January, and potentially the April draft would also be on hold as long as a deal remains unfinalised.<\/p>\n
Neither side wants that to be a case.<\/p>\n
Engelbert remains optimistic that the two sides will be able to agree on a CBA that people will hopefully be raving about at next year\u2019s All-Star event.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want a lot of the same things the players want. I said that last time, too, and it\u2019s not changed,\u201d she said. \u201cBut we also have to have a process where we got back and forth and that\u2019s where we\u2019re in the process. Again, still really optimistic that we get something done that will be transformational.\u201d<\/p>\n