Tensions are escalating in the ongoing labor dispute between the WNBA and the players’ union as the current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire next week without a new deal in place.
The conflict intensified on Tuesday and Wednesday as both sides exchanged remarks. NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who has partial ownership of the women’s league, expressed confidence in reaching a new agreement and ensuring significant salary increases for WNBA players. However, his comment about the share of revenues raised concerns within the union.
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) promptly responded on Wednesday, accusing the league and teams of attempting to control labor costs through a fixed salary system not aligned with the players’ business growth. The union’s executive director, Terri Carmichael Jackson, criticized the proposed salary structure and revenue sharing plan.
In a rebuttal, the WNBA highlighted its offer of an uncapped revenue sharing model directly linked to the league’s performance, emphasizing a commitment to increasing player compensation as league revenue grows. The league expressed frustration with the union’s misrepresentations and delay accusations.
The Toronto Tempo is slated to join the league in the upcoming 2026 season. The negotiation meetings between the WNBA and the players have been ongoing, with a recent meeting in New York last Thursday, aiming to secure a deal before the looming Oct. 31 deadline. The players opted out of the current agreement last year to seek improved benefits, higher salaries, and increased revenue sharing.
Despite differences in salary parameters, both sides, including WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, are striving for a transformative deal with substantial salary and benefit enhancements. The negotiations faced additional strain when union vice president Napheesa Collier openly criticized the commissioner following her team’s playoff elimination.