The WNBA faces greater risks than ever before. With the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations halted, WNBPA Executive Director Terry Carmichael Jackson sent a strong message to Cathy Engelbert and Adam Silver, emphasizing that the union will not relent in its demands.
Negotiations between the league and the WNBPA are at a critical juncture. A year ago, the union opted out of the current CBA, beginning the process of reaching a new agreement that would improve the players’ conditions.
However, the negotiations have not gone well. While the WNBA is offering a 3% annual increase to the current salary cap and salary structure, the players are seeking a revenue-based model, similar to the NBA’s.
The current contract expires on October 31, and the parties have not given ground. Amid the impasse, Carmichael Jackson sent a resounding message to Silver: they want a thorough overhaul of the CBA.
Terri Carmichael vs. Adam Silver
With talks stalled, the WNBPA Executive Director was blunt, saying, “When the players opted out a year ago, they made it clear they wanted a salary system that values their labor and allows them to grow with the business they are clearly driving.”
Carmichael Jackson and the WNBPA point to the growth the league has experienced in recent years, with unprecedented viewership levels and a $2.2 billion media deal.
“We’ve come to the table prepared to do business,” Carmichael asserted. “They’ve responded with bad math and are hoping everyone doesn’t understand what ‘uncapped’ actually means,” she rebuked.
He countered the NBA Commissioner’s recent comments, saying, “Adam Silver said it himself on behalf of the WNBA. ‘Share isn’t the word,’ it’s not in their vocabulary.”
Silver’s unfortunate statements
Currently, NBA players receive a 50% share of the league’s profits. But Silver said that model wouldn’t work in the WNBA due to the revenue gap between the two leagues.
In a recent episode of Today, the NBA Commissioner stated, “I think share isn’t the right way to look at it, because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA.”
He asserted that, beyond the percentages, the players would receive a substantial increase in absolute numbers, “And they deserve it.” However, the WNBPA will not allow the CBA reforms to fall by the wayside.
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