WNBA players have voted to authorize a strike, the union said Thursday, the biggest step yet toward a potential work stoppage.<\/p>\n
In a vote that included 93% participation from players, 98% voted to let the WNBPA executive committee call a strike when necessary.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime and again, the players\u2019 thoughtful and reasonable approach has been met by the WNBA and its teams with a resistance to change and a recommitment to the draconian provisions that have unfairly restricted players for nearly three decades,\u201d the WNBPA said in a statement. \u201cThe players\u2019 vote is neither a call for an immediate strike nor an intention to pursue one. Rather, it is an emphatic affirmation of the players\u2019 confidence in their leadership and their unwavering solidarity against ongoing efforts to divide, conquer, and undervalue them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, owners offered the players an economic model that would ultimately pay them less than 15% of league revenue, sources previously confirmed to Front Office Sports<\/a>; players countered with 30%.<\/p>\n The WNBA later issued a statement in response to the WNBPA\u2019s strike authorization vote, which acknowledged the players\u2019 right to authorize a future work stoppage but noted that the league strongly disagrees \u201cwith the WNBPA\u2019s characterization of the current state of negotiations, which fundamentally misrepresents the ongoing discussions taking place at the bargaining table.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is difficult to understand claims that the league is resistant to change, particularly given that we are proposing numerous CBA modifications including significant immediate salary increases and a new uncapped revenue-sharing model that would ensure continued salary growth tied to revenue growth.\u201d<\/p>\n The WNBA and union agreed to a second extension hours before the collective bargaining agreement was set to expire on Nov. 30, making the new deadline Jan. 9. Under the terms of the current CBA extension, the union would not be able to call a strike without first terminating the extended agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n Both the WNBA and WNBPA have the right to terminate the extended agreement with 48 hours\u2019 notice.\u00a0<\/p>\n This vote comes following a slew of recent public comments from players on the state of negotiations. During a three-day USA basketball camp, first vice president Kelsey Plum said, \u201cIt\u2019s been a little bit disheartening.\u201d<\/a> Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark emphasized the importance of players fighting for what they deserve.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBut at the same time, we need to play basketball,\u201d Clark added.\u00a0<\/p>\n