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WNBA Players Association Sends Strong Message to League, Fans Erupt in Support

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBA) sent a clear message to the WNBA league on Saturday, as players wore "Pay Us What You Owe Us" shirts during warm-ups before the game. The gesture was met with strong support from fans, who chanted "Pay the Players" as the league's all-stars took the court. The tension between the players and the league stems from discussions surrounding revenue sharing and salary expectations, which are ongoing as part of the collective bargaining agreement.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WNBA players association wore "Pay Us What You Owe Us" shirts during warm-ups, sparking a supportive chant from fans.
  • WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated that she feels the league's in-person meeting with the players association was "productive," but players association president Nneka Ogwumike characterized it as a "missed opportunity" and a "disappointment."
  • Engelbert emphasized the league's desire to "significantly increase their salary and benefits, while balancing with our owners their ability to have a path to profitability as well as to continued investment."
  • The collective bargaining agreement has implications for the upcoming expansion of the league, including the addition of five teams over the next five years and potential changes to the expansion draft rules.
  • The WNBA is currently playing the maximum number of games allowed under the collective bargaining agreement, with each team playing 44 games, up from 40 in 2023 and 32 in '21.
  • The league is exploring ways to increase revenue, but ENGELBERT expressed hesitation about expanding the calendar past its current October end point, citing concerns about player rest and potential overlap with other sports.

Statistics:

  • The WNBA will add five teams in the next five years, including two teams in 2026 in Toronto and Portland.
  • The 2022 WNBA season will consist of 44 games, up from 32 in 2021.
  • The WNBA finals series will increase from five to seven games starting in 2025.
  • The WNBA has been playing games from May to October since 2011, with a maximum number of games allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.
  • The NCAA women's college basketball season typically ends in April, preventing the WNBA from starting earlier than May.
  • The FIBA World Cup and Olympics are held once every four years, with the next World Cup in 2026 and the next Olympics in 2028.

Sources:

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer
  • WNBA official website and communications
  • National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
  • FIBA World Cup official website
  • Olympics official website

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