NEW YORK – The WNBA and its Players’ Union reached a verbal deal for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement after 2:00am Wednesday to move forward with a pact that will redefine the economic and governing rules of the WNBA going forward. The agreement, WNBA legend Breanna Stewart said, will be “transformational” for the league and its players.
Though there is an agreement in place, it still must be formalized into a term sheet and approved by the players and the league’s board of governors. The details of the agreement are still not known. Player salaries will be tied to league revenue for the first time, average player compensation will be more than half a million dollars, WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said, and the agreement will also improve on family planning and parental leave benefits.
Despite deadlines and saber-rattling that the league could have the start of its season impacted, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert said that training camp and the regular season will start on time. Opening night is scheduled for May 8.
In the coming weeks, the league must still conduct an expansion draft for new teams in Toronto and Portland and open the free agency period, where over 80% of the league’s players are currently eligible.
Next Steps for Ratification
The agreement is currently “in principle.” Over the next few days, lawyers will finalize the formal term sheet, which will then be put to a vote by the players and must be approved by the WNBA Board of Governors. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike both expressed immense pride in the deal, calling it a “win-win” that redefines the professional standard for the league.
-Wire Service Report