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THE WNBA players’ union has opted out of its collective bargaining agreement with the league.
After the most successful season in WNBA history, the players are seeking higher salaries.
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The league saw a massive increase in attendance and ratings in 2024, thanks in part to the arrival of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
That ratings increase was maintained even in games that the star rookies didn’t play in, as the Finals between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx averaged over a million viewers.
The WNBA is working on expanding on its recent expense, expanding to 15 teams by 2026 and agreeing on a new media rights agreement.
While the league is heading toward a more profitable future, the players haven’t seen that reflected in their salaries.
The rookie minimum salary is just $64,154, and the maximum salary is $241,984.
Many players spend their offseasons playing in foreign leagues to ensure they earn enough money to live.
“If we stay in the current agreement, we fall behind,” WNBPA president and Seattle Storm player Nneka Ogwumike 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.”
The opt-out allows the WNBA to operate in 2025 and work on securing a new deal for players, but if an agreement isn’t made by the end of next season play could be stopped.
“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,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
The WNBPA is also seeking improvements to other benefits such as “minimum professional standards” for team facilities and travel. They’re also seeking an expansion of the league’s retirement plan and family planning support.
“We realize the true value of the players, and we no longer want to be put in a position of having to choose between better pay and other improvements like travel or facilities,” Dallas Wings forward and union co-chair Satou Sabally said.
The WNBA started to make improvements this season, with 2024 being the first year charter flights were provided to athletes.
They will likely only continue their improvements, as their media rights deal was recently negotiated alongside the NBA’s.
The two leagues negotiated an 11-year deal worth $76 billion, of which $200 million per year is reserved for the WNBA.
WNBA All-Star rosters
THE 2024 WNBA All-Star game rosters have been announced, with Team WNBA set to face Team USA on July 20.
Team WNBA:
- DeWanna Bonner – Connecticut Sun
- Aliyah Boston – Indiana Fever
- Caitlin Clark – Indiana Fever
- Allisha Gray – Atlanta Dream
- Dearica Hamby – Los Angeles Sparks
- Brionna Jones – Connecticut Sun
- Jonquel Jones – New York Liberty
- Kayla McBride – Minnesota Lynx
- Kelsey Mitchell – Indiana Fever
- Arike Ogunbowale – Dallas Wings
- Nneka Ogwumike – Seattle Storm
- Angel Reese – Chicago Sky
Team USA:
- Napheesa Collier – Minnesota Lynx
- Kahleah Copper – Phoenix Mercury
- Chelsea Gray – Las Vegas Aces
- Brittney Griner – Phoenix Mercury
- Sabrina Ionescu – New York Liberty
- Jewell Loyd – Seattle Storm
- Kelsey Plum – Las Vegas Aces
- Breanna Stewart – New York Liberty
- Diana Taurasi – Phoenix Mercury
- Alyssa Thomas – Connecticut Sun
- A’ja Wilson – Las Vegas Aces
- Jackie Young – Las Vegas Aces
That three percent share can be revisited in three years if the WNBA’s popularity continues to grow.
The WNBPA and the league will likely do everything to avoid a work stoppage in 2025, but major American sports leagues have seen stoppages in recent years.
Major League Baseball went into a lockout during the 2021 season after the league and the union couldn’t come to an agreement.
The start of the MLB season was delayed by weeks and revenue was lost from the negotiations.
The WNBA will look to get their negotiations done swiftly to keep Caitlin Clark on fans’ TV screens for years to come.
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