August 14, 2024
WNBPA executive committee election results announced
Napheesa Collier: 'Stepping into this role is an honor, and it's important to me to represent the phenomenal players in our league'
On Wednesday, the the Women’s National Basketball Players Association’s (WNBPA) announced the results of its most recent executive committee election. Here are the players that were elected to union leadership positions and their roles.
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Elizabeth Williams of the Chicago Sky and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty were both reelected to continue serving in their roles. Stewart will return to her role as one of the WNBPA’s three vice presidents. The three-time Olympic gold medalist will be fulfilling her second-consecutive term. Williams will be returning to her role as secretary, serving a two-year term for the fourth time.
“I take pride in being knowledgeable about our current CBA. In serving on our executive committee, I hope to bring great insight in our future negotiations,” Williams said.
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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and Las Vegas Aces guard Alysha Clark will fill the other two vice president spots. Both players had previously served the WNBPA as player representatives.
“Joining the Executive Committee is a moment of immense pride for me, but it’s also a chance to give back to the league that has given me so much,” Clark said, per the press release. “I’m committed to serving our players, pushing boundaries, creating opportunities, and making sure out voices are heard as we break barriers.”
In the release, Collier noted how “stepping into this role is an honor, and it’s important to me to represent the phenomenal players in our league.” She continued, “our strength lies in our unity and I’m proud to be part of a movement that not only seeks to build a great future but also positions WNBA Players as catalysts for change in sports and beyond. This is about paving the way for those who will follow.”
Chicago Sky forward Brianna Turner is no stranger to the WNBPA executive committee, having served as one of the Union’s three vice presidents since 2022. In this election, she was elected as the union’s treasurer, replacing Minnesota Lynx forward Natalie Achonwa.
Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally was selected to co-chair the WNBPA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) committee after serving two consecutive terms as a vice president. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike and first vice president, Kelsey Plum each have one year remaining in their positions before reelection, as both are serving three-year terms.
This leadership class will begin fulfilling their duties immediately, and one of the first major items they’ll tackle is the looming CBA opt-out date on Nov. 1, 2024. If the WNBPA opts out of the current CBA, it would expire two years early, on Oct. 31, 2025. This would lead to a potentially transformational period for the WNBA, given the recent increases in viewership, game attendance and overall investment in the league.
