WNBPA votes to opt out of CBA

Want even more women’s sports in your inbox?

Subscribe now to our sister publication The IX and receive our independent women’s sports newsletter six days a week. Learn more about your favorite athletes and teams around the world competing in soccer, tennis, basketball, golf, hockey and gymnastics from our incredible team of writers.

Readers of The Next now save 50% on their subscription to The IX.

With the recent increases in viewership, game attendance and overall investment in the league, this early opt-out provides players with the chance to demand better for the league to represent just how much the WNBA has grown. The following are key priorities for negotiation from the WNBPA:

• New Economic Model: “Transforming the current system, which imposes arbitrary and restrictive caps on the value and benefits players receive, by introducing an equity-based model that grows and evolves in step with the league’s business success.”
• Player Salaries: “Establishing clear distinctions between salary and bonuses, ensuring players receive wages that properly reflect their value and contributions to the league’s growing business.”
• Minimum Professional Standards: “Implementing consistent minimum standards that align with other leading professional sports leagues, maintaining professional and safe environments across the league, including practice and game facilities, as well as travel accommodations.”
• Retirement Benefits: “Expanding retirement benefits to provide greater financial security and health benefits to the Players for their life after basketball.”
• Pregnancy and Family Planning Benefits: “Fair and accessible family planning support for all players, including retirement benefits that provide long-term security for their families.”

“This is a defining moment, not just for the WNBA, but for all of us who believe in progress. The world has evolved since 2020, and we cannot afford to stand still. If we stay in the current agreement, we fall behind. This is a new era, and we are ready to lead transformational change — change that goes beyond women’s sports and sets a precedent for something greater,” Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA president said. “Opting out isn’t just about bigger paychecks — it’s about claiming our rightful share of the business we’ve built, improving working conditions, and securing a future where the success we create benefits today’s players and the generations to come. We’re not just asking for a CBA that reflects our value; we’re demanding it, because we’ve earned it.” 

The WNBPA shared the news on Instagram with the caption, “The WNBPA Board of Player Representatives and WNBPA Executive Committee have decided to opt out of the 2020 WNBA/WNBPA CBA on behalf of the collective.”

“The players made the decision to opt out of the last CBA to realign with the business and save the league from its own limitations,” Terri Carmichael Jackson, WNBPA executive director said. “Today, with a stronger foundation and new investments flowing in, they’re opting out again — this time to fully professionalize the league, secure proper wages, improve working conditions, and lock in meaningful benefits. As a union, we serve at the behest of the players, and for them, this is all about business — their business.”

Shortly after the WNBPA announced its intent to opt-out of the CBA, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert released a statement in response.

“With the historic 2024 WNBA season now in the books, we look forward to working together with the players and the WNBPA on a new CBA that is fair for all and lays the foundation for growth and success for years to come,” Engelbert said.

Add Locked On Women’s Basketball to your daily routine

Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.