- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 522,381
- Reaction score
- 47
The WNBA will open its new season on May 16, hoping to ride on the wave of its unprecedented success last year.
It had record-setting numbers in 2024 in terms of viewership, gate attendance and merchandise sales, as marquee names like A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas, Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, to name a few, brought more attention to the league.
However, the elephant in the room amid the new campaign is the ongoing negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The possibility of a lockout next season has loomed over the WNBA for the past few months.
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier during 2024 WNBA Finals.Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
In March, Collier stated that they're prepared to halt play in 2026 if the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) and the league can't agree on the revised terms of the CBA. The current one will expire on October 31.
For her part, Stewart has remained optimistic that a new deal will be signed.
"Both sides—we are doing this together," said the Liberty forward, as quoted by WNBA writer Sara Jane Gamelli.
"This is a big momentum shift for the WNBA, and we need to take advantage of it."
The 30-year-old Stewart added: "Everything is going right in our favor as we get into the negotiations of a new CBA."
In October, the WNBPA opted out of the CBA, which was signed in 2020. Players believe they have the leverage in seeking a better labor deal, which would include higher salaries, better working conditions, and other benefits.
Stewart is earning $208,000 this year, according to Spotrac. She led New York to its first-ever WNBA championship last season after beating Minnesota in the finals.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has also remained positive about the ongoing negotiations.
Continue reading...
It had record-setting numbers in 2024 in terms of viewership, gate attendance and merchandise sales, as marquee names like A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas, Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, to name a few, brought more attention to the league.
However, the elephant in the room amid the new campaign is the ongoing negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The possibility of a lockout next season has loomed over the WNBA for the past few months.
You must be registered for see images attach
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier during 2024 WNBA Finals.Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
In March, Collier stated that they're prepared to halt play in 2026 if the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) and the league can't agree on the revised terms of the CBA. The current one will expire on October 31.
For her part, Stewart has remained optimistic that a new deal will be signed.
"Both sides—we are doing this together," said the Liberty forward, as quoted by WNBA writer Sara Jane Gamelli.
"This is a big momentum shift for the WNBA, and we need to take advantage of it."
The 30-year-old Stewart added: "Everything is going right in our favor as we get into the negotiations of a new CBA."
In October, the WNBPA opted out of the CBA, which was signed in 2020. Players believe they have the leverage in seeking a better labor deal, which would include higher salaries, better working conditions, and other benefits.
Stewart is earning $208,000 this year, according to Spotrac. She led New York to its first-ever WNBA championship last season after beating Minnesota in the finals.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has also remained positive about the ongoing negotiations.
Related: Kelsey Plum Doesn't Hold Back on WNBA Players' Bold CBA Move
Related: Aliyah Boston Fires Sharp Response to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's Remarks
Related: Aliyah Boston Fires Sharp Response to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's Remarks
Continue reading...
