WNBA players opt out of CBA, face potential work stoppage - ESPN

WNBA players have opted out of their current collective bargaining agreement and face the prospect of a work stoppage if they don't negotiate a new deal with the league by the end of the 2025 season.

The elected members of the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) announced Monday that players are seeking «a business model that reflects their true value, encompassing higher salaries, enhanced professional working conditions, expanded health benefits, and crucial investments needed for long-term growth.»

Players had until Nov. 1 to opt out of the current deal, which was set to expire in 2027 and will still be in effect until Oct. 31, 2025. The two sides have a year to come to an agreement.

Citing higher television ratings, attendance figures and franchise values, the union said the time is right for renegotiating with the league and owners. The league also recently entered into a historic 11-year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime and NBC for $200 million a year.

«This is a defining moment, not just for the WNBA, but for all of us who believe in progress,» WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm said in a statement. «The world has evolved since 2020, and we cannot afford to stand still. If we stay in the current agreement, we fall behind.

»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. We're not just asking for a CBA that reflects our value; we're demanding it, because we've earned it."

The WNBA moved to all charter travel for the first time this season and is expanding to 13 teams