Adam Silver addresses WNBA labor negotiations: 'We will get a deal done'

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On the heels of several prominent WNBA players criticizing league commissioner Cathy Englebert for a lack of accountability and leadership, NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Monday added his voice to the discussion.

In remarks made Oct. 6 at NBC Sports headquarters, Silver acknowledged the WNBA is experiencing “growing pains” with its unprecedented popularity colliding with rampant player dissatisfaction just ahead of the expiration of its collective bargaining agreement at the end of the month.

“Cathy Englebert has presided over historic growth in the league, but there’s no question that there’s issues we need to address with our players,” Silver said. “They’re not just economic. There’s relationship issues, as well.

“I’m confident we can fix those over time, and this league can continue to be on the rocket trajectory that it’s on right now.”

Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces’ Jewell Loyd (24) and A’ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.

Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas.

Game 2: The Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper (2) drives the ball past Las Vegas Aces guards Jackie Young (0) and Dana Evans (11).

Game 2: Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) drives the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally.

Game 2: Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots a layup against Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22).

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.

Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.

Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).

Game 1: A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.

Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.

Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.

Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.

Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.

Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.

Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).

Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.

Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.

Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.

Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.

Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.

Game 1: A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.

Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.

Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.

Game 1: A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.

The current CBA was originally set to run through 2027, but the WNBA players union opted out last year, which pushed the expiration date up to Oct. 31, 2025.

With a new 11-year media rights deal — worth an estimated $2.2 billion — set to kick in next season, and two new expansion teams slated to join the league in 2026, players have been pushing for a greater share of the league’s revenue than the 9.3% they currently receive.

By comparison, NBA players receive roughly 50% of their league’s basketball-related income.

Silver didn’t take sides in the dispute, preferring instead to keep the focus on the court, with the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces headed toward Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night.

“There’s no question that the WNBA is going through growing pains, and it’s unfortunate that it’s coming just as their most important games in the finals are on right now,” Silver said. “We’ve had two fantastic games so far and want to celebrate the game at the moment. And then we’ve got to sit down with the players and negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.”

The WNBA has experienced rapid growth recently, spurred in part by the 2024 draft class that included Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The league turned in its most-watched regular season in 24 years and recorded its highest attendance in 22 years this past season.

However, that progress could come to an abrupt halt if the league and the players can’t agree on a new CBA, especially if it leads to a work stoppage.

With so much on the line, Silver seemed confident things wouldn’t reach that stage.

“We will get a deal done with the players,” Silver said emphatically. “Lots of work left to be done, but we’ll, of course, get a new collective bargaining deal done.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adam Silver on WNBA labor dispute: ‘We will get a deal done’

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