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WNBA CBA re-negotiation appears to be rare positive moment
Caitlin Clark. Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Why WNBA CBA re-negotiation appears to be rare positive moment in sports politics

The Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) announced Monday that it has opted out of the current collective bargaining agreement and will enter into negotiations with the league for a new deal. Both parties will have one year to come to a new agreement before the end of the 2025 season.

Per ESPN's Michael Voepel, WNBPA representatives said they are seeking "a business model that reflects their true value, encompassing higher salaries, enhanced professional working conditions, expanded health benefits, and crucial investments needed for long-term growth."

The decision to seek a new CBA seems mutual as WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed in a statement to ESPN she's looking forward "to working together ... on a new CBA that is fair for all and lays the foundation for growth and success for years to come."

Most sports labor negotiations center around a contentious issue surrounding (or not included in) the old CBA. These situations can lead to work stoppages and potential player strikes.

However, this instance appears to be a rare occasion in which both the players and league recognize that the game has outgrown its current circumstances and requires addressing.

The league broke several viewership records this year. Games on ESPN averaged 1.2 million viewers per broadcast (a 170 percent increase) and playoff ratings grew 142 percent compared to 2023, with games averaging 970,000 viewers as of Oct. 14, per Morning Star.

Superstar rookies like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were a big part of the expanded interest and now the rest of the league is capitalizing on this unique opportunity.

"Opting out isn't just about bigger paychecks," WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm said in a statement to ESPN. "It's about claiming our rightful share of the business we've built ... We're not just asking for a CBA that reflects our value; we're demanding it, because we've earned it."

It's entirely possible negotiations could take a sour turn at some, point but given the league's initial willingness to meet players at the table, it seems unlikely for the time being.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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