Last November, when the Women’s National Player Association decided to opt out a year early of its Collective Bargaining Agreement, union president Nneka Ogwumike demanded transparency on league revenue, increased pay and better travel accommodations for players.
The WNBA delivered on all that and more in a new, groundbreaking CBA that was announced Tuesday morning.
The WNBA sent the message that they are willing to invest more resources into their players under the eight-year deal, which is pending ratification by the players and the league’s Board of Governors.
Under the contract, the maximum base salary for top players is $215,000 — a nearly $100,000 increase from last season.
Rookies and other players will also see a bump in their salaries. And for the first time in league history, the average cash compensation for players will exceed six figures, averaging nearly $130,000.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said that the league approached these negotiations with a “player-first agenda.”
“I am pleased that this agreement guarantees substantial increases in compensation and progressive benefits for the women of the WNBA,” Engelbert said in a statement. “I want to thank the players, led by WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike and the WNBPA Executive Committee, as well as WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson, for their hard work, innovative thinking and professionalism throughout the process. I also want to thank the league’s Labor Relations Committee and Board of Governors for their investment, commitment and leadership as we look forward to working together to make the WNBA a sustainable and thriving business for generations of women’s basketball players to come.”
Ogwumike also praised Engelbert for being open minded to the union’s requests.
“We found common ground in areas that confirmed the league’s and the players’ intentions to not only make meaningful improvements in working conditions and overall professional experience, but also to improve the business with strategic planning and intentional marketing that will keep the WNBA front and center year-round,” Ogwumike said in a statement.
Other highlights include:
- Minimum of $1.6 million in off-season league and team marketing agreements, that both recognize top performance and highlight the diversity of the league, and would create up to $300,000 in additional annual cash compensation for select players.
- New 50-50 revenue sharing beginning with the 2021 season, based on the league achieving revenue growth targets from broadcast agreements, marketing partnerships and licensing deals.
- Premium Economy class status (such as Comfort/Economy Plus) for all players for regular-season air travel.
- Individual hotel room accommodations for every player.
- Unrestricted free agency available to players one year earlier than under the prior agreement beginning with the free agency period leading up to the 2021 season. Specifically, players who complete the playing services called for in their contract and have five or more years of service will become unrestricted free agents.
- A new annual childcare stipend of $5,000 and two-bedroom apartments for players with children.
- New, progressive family planning benefits of up to a $60,000 reimbursement for veteran players for costs directly related to adoption, surrogacy, oocyte cryopreservation or fertility/infertility treatment.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
