WNBPA vows united front, focus on ‘transformational CBA’ with deadline near

With a lockout looming, the WNBPA executive committee declared players are unified and continue to push for a “transformational CBA” agreement with the league.

The seven-player committee issued a signed statement further supporting the survey results shared by the union in an Instagram post on Wednesday regarding revenue sharing. The committee said the league proposal to split net revenue 50-50 was shared with players, but would equate to only 15 percent of gross revenue. According to the survey, 84% of players “would not accept 15% and want the union to keep negotiating,” the committee said.

“In every CBA negotiation, the goal of the league and teams is to divide the players,” the statement read. “These negotiations are no different. We remain united and focused on delivering a transformational CBA for all members of this Union, and are committed to negotiating for as long as it takes.”

Players provided the seven-player committee executive authority to strike “when necessary.” But most players who’ve spoken on the record continue to point to the desire to play a full season and not give up any games.

Several players, including committee members Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart, said on Monday they were waiting for additional proposals from the league as the March 10 deadline ticks closer. The league set that date as the cutoff for finalizing a new CBA at the risk of delaying the start of the regular season in May.

Stewart was also one of the authors of a letter sent to union executive director Terri Jackson on Monday, which multiple outlets reported cited “serious concerns” about the players’ association negotiations due to minimal player involvement.

–Field Level Media