THE WNBA might be on track to go on strike over the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
Time is running out for the WNBA and the player’s union to agree on a new CBA, but the two sides don’t look to be close in negotiations.
The WNBA could be headed towards a strike following CBA negotiations[/caption]
WNBPA player representatives have labeled the league’s recent proposal as a “slap in the face”[/caption]
Satou Sabally of the Phoenix Mercury, a WNBPA player representative, told the media that the WNBA recently sent a proposal that was a “slap in the face.”
Those comments came just days after the league announced it was expanding to 18 teams.
“I love to see the league growing,” Sabally said.
“But how cool would it also be to have a little bit of expansion on the rosters?
“Let’s focus on the teams that have everything set up right now.”
Front Office Sports reported that the WNBA’s proposal is the first the league sent.
Player reportedly felt that the proposal wasn’t “entirely responsive” to their request.
Last week, Indiana Fever players Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson read a statement to the media reflecting the union’s desires in the upcoming CBA.
“As the league grows, it’s time for the CBA that reflects our true value.
“We are fighting for a fair share of business that we built.”
The WNBA is already cashing in on the recent success of the league with an 11-year, $2.2 billion deal.
The deal has already grown thanks to an extension that the WNBA signed with Scripps Sports.
The WNBA also received $250 million in expansion fees from the three new expansion teams.
Around 80 percent of players are free agents next year in anticipation of a pay raise, but the league doubling in size and adding more roster spots could dilute revenue.
Still, the underpaying of players has been especially apparent after the Commissioner’s Cup.
The Indiana Fever won the game and earned a $500,000 bonus pool for the entire team.
Notable American sports strike
THE WNBA collective bargaining agreement is set to expire soon, and players could hold out for better conditions if they can’t agree to a new deal.
Sports strikes aren’t a new idea, with multiple major lockouts taking place in the past decades.
From August 12, 1994 to April 2, 1995, Major League Baseball went on strike. This resulted in the entire postseason and World Series being canceled. The league lost almost 1,000 games because owners wanted to institute a salary cap and revenue sharing.
The strike worked, and owners eventually backed off of the salary cap demands and returned to the old pay structure.
During the 1982 NFL season, the NFLPA went on strike from September 21 to November 16. Five weeks of games were lost and the league shortened its season to nine weeks. The playoffs were also expanded to 16 teams that season.
Players were unhappy with their share of revenue, looking for 55 percent. The strike was resolved with a one-time, $60 million payment to players and an increase to minimum player salaries and benefits.
In 2004, the entire NHL season was cancelled due to a player strike. From September 16, 2004 to July 22, 2005, players protested Commissioner Cary Bettman’s idea to tie player salaries to league revenue.
This was resolved by adjusting the salary cap every season to ensure players receive 54 percent of the league’s revenue and a salary floor was put in place.
Each player went home with around $30,000 each.
Players on the WNBA Championship-winning team take home $11,356 each, according to the CBA.
Caitlin Clark called this out after winning the tournament.
“We get more for [the Commissioner’s Cup] than you do if you’re a [WNBA champion],” she said.
“Makes no sense. Someone tell Cathy [Engelbert] to help us out.”
There is no word on what kind of pay structure the WNBPA is looking for, but from recent negotiations it seems the league is far off from meeting desires.
