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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Optimistic About Future Collective Bargaining Agreement

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed her optimism about the upcoming collective bargaining agreement, citing the league's improved revenue and the potential for "something transformational" in the negotiations. However, the league's players association pushed back, with WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike describing the recent in-person meeting as a "missed opportunity" and vice president Napheesa Collier calling it a "disappointment." The players association emphasized that the league needs to meet their salary and benefit expectations, and the CBA will have significant ripple effects, including changes to the expansion draft rules and potential additions to the league calendar.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WNBA and the WNBPA held an in-person meeting on Thursday, which Engelbert described as "productive" but was met with skepticism by the players association.
  • The WNBPA decided to wear T-shirts during pregame warmups on Saturday with the message "Pay Us What You Owe Us" to emphasize their salary and benefit demands.
  • Discussions around revenue sharing and salary expectations have been central to the collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
  • The league is expected to add five teams in the next five years, including two teams in 2026, Toronto and Portland, which may change the expansion draft rules.
  • The WNBA might be adding additional games or time to the league calendar, but Engelbert was hesitant to commit to this, citing player opposition to overwork.
  • The league currently plays games from May through October and hosts the rookie draft after the conclusion of the women's college basketball season.
  • The WNBA is playing the maximum number of games allowed under the CBA in 2025, with each team playing 44 games, up from 40 in 2023 and 32 in 2021.

Statistics:

  • 5 new teams will be added to the WNBA in the next 5 years, with 2 teams (Toronto and Portland) joining in 2026.
  • 44 games will be played by each team in 2025, up from 40 in 2023 and 32 in 2021.
  • 7 games will be played in the WNBA Finals series in 2025, up from 5 in previous years.
  • 2 teams (Toronto and Portland) will join the league in 2026, bringing the total to 14 teams.

Sources:

"The WNBA is adding five teams, not all at once, over the course of the next five years," said Engelbert.

The WNBA's 2025 season calendar and WNBPA president Ogwumike's comments about the meeting's outcome.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert's comments about the expansion draft rules and potential additions to the league calendar.

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