WNBPA exec committee says latest CBA proposal ‘not worth taking’
The WNBPA’s seven-player govt committee on Wednesday mentioned in an announcement it stays “united” and {that a} latest participant survey reaffirms the league’s present proposal for a brand new collective bargaining settlement “is not worth taking.”
“In every CBA negotiation, the goal of the league and teams is to divide the players,” the assertion, which was signed by everything of the seven-player govt committee, mentioned. “These negotiations are no different. We remain united and focused on delivering a transformational CBA for all members of this Union, and are committed to negotiating for as long as it takes.”
WNBPA govt committee members Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart on Monday he wrote a three-page letter, which was obtained by ESPNto gamers’ union govt director Terri Jackson expressing “serious concerns about how the PA is handling the current negotiations” for a brand new CBA, “including the lack of adequate player involvement in the process.”
“Despite our differences and tough moments, we must make crystal clear that we are focused, we are resolved, and we are together,” the chief committee mentioned within the assertion. “We want to play basketball in 2026. We want to be in front of our fans playing the game that we love. We will not stop fighting. There is no WNBA without the players.”
The union additionally introduced on social media the outcomes of a participant survey that requested if they might “accept the league’s proposal of ‘50% of net revenue,’ which is less than 15% of gross revenue in an eight-year deal or ask the union to keep negotiating?”
The union’s Instagram put up mentioned 84% of gamers responded that they “would not accept 15% and want the union to keep negotiating,” although it was unclear what number of respondents the survey had.
In Unrivaled media availability Monday, Stewart and Plum made clear they consider extra negotiation is required. However, within the letter, they wrote “we need to start being pragmatic” and advocated to start negotiating off the league’s proposals with regards to income sharing.
“I think it just continues to illustrate what the majority feels,” WNBPA vp Alysha Clark mentioned in regards to the survey on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” “We’re at a place where we feel like the proposals the league has sent haven’t been good ones. And we want to continue to fight for what we know we deserve. We hope that at some point the league decides to have that same sentiment towards us as well through the proposals that they send.”
The union assertion from Wednesday additionally referenced the WNBPA participant vote in December authorizing the chief committee to name a strike “when necessary.”
“[That decision was] made with complete faith and trust in ourselves and our negotiating committee, led by Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson and President Nneka Ogwumiketo represent all players as we work to build a W that truly puts players first,” the assertion mentioned. “Nothing has changed.”
Added Clark: “As a union, we’re going to use every tool that we have in our pocket to be able to fight and get what we know we deserve. So it’s very much still on the table, and that is something that I think is clear as we continue to have these conversations with our union and the players in the league.”
The union’s assertion comes lower than every week earlier than the March 10 date given by the league to the WNBPA final month to attempt to full a time period sheet for a brand new CBA. The 2026 common season is scheduled to start May 8, however earlier than then, the league should maintain a school draft (at the moment scheduled for April 13), a two-team growth draft and free company for greater than 100 gamers.
The union held a name with its gamers Tuesday night to deal with the problems raised by Stewart and Plum, in addition to the survey outcomes, sources advised ESPN.
It is unclear whether or not the remainder of the seven-player govt committee agrees with Plum and Stewart’s sentiments on WNBPA management, or whether or not they had been knowledgeable earlier than the letter was despatched.
Sources have indicated that some members are content material with the union’s dealing with of negotiations. One of the 2 veteran gamers beneath contract in the complete league, Lexie Brownwrote in a Threads put up on Wednesday that “we (the players who decide to get on the calls) speak to the PA and are updated often” and “I’m extremely well informed and prepared for any situation that comes from these negotiations.”
