In what is expected to become a contentious negotiation for a new collective bargaining agreement, WNBA players do not appear impressed with the initial labor proposal offered by the league, multiple outlets reported.
The league’s first proposal to players was sent last week, with the Phoenix Mercury’s Satou Sabally telling the media Thursday that it was a “slap in the face.”
The league’s proposal to players comes as the WNBA announced expansion to Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia by 2030. The Golden State Valkyries made their debut this season and the Toronto Tempo will join the league next season, along with a team in Portland, Ore.
The arrivals of players like Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky last season, and Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings this season, have spurred unprecedented interest in the league. It has also helped shine a light on existing stars like A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Breanna Stewart of the reigning champion New York Liberty, among others.
“We have a new CBA coming up, so I know we’re doing a great job emphasizing that, putting the pressure on them about that too,” Reese told reporters Wednesday. “But super excited to continue to grow, and more players need to be in this league because this league is great.”
ESPN reported last year that the WNBA’s new 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal could end up being worth as much as $3 billion with additional partners. And Front Office Sports reported that the league received $250 million in expansion fees for the future franchises in Detroit, Philadelphia and Cleveland.
In anticipation of a far more lucrative contract possibilities, many players structured their contracts to end after this season. Reports indicate that as many as 80 percent of WNBA players will be free agents at the end of the 2025 season.
–Field Level Media
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