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There’s no question that over the past two years, the WNBA has seen significant growth in overall popularity. That growth has led the WNBPA to demand a larger and more direct share of the league’s gross revenue.
The players are seeking roughly a 25% increase. As of now, the league has not budged, currently offering 70% of net revenue after expenses — which would amount to less than 15% for the players. Other issues, including travel, housing expenses, and more, are also part of the ongoing discussions.
With the season still a few months away, questions remain about what could happen if the two sides fail to reach an agreement. A lockout would likely be the result, a scenario that has occurred in other professional leagues when a CBA could not be agreed upon.
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Breaking her silence on the negotiations on Saturday was Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, who is preparing to compete next week with USA Basketball in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
“Everybody wants to play, but all of us want to play at what we should be compensated for,” Reese said. “So we’re just going to continue to negotiate. Negotiation is not easy. I talk to my team all the time — when I negotiate deals, you go back and forth until you come to a common ground of what we both can go for. I’m just going to continue to be a voice and do whatever I can as a young voice that knows that I do have a platform in this. … We do all want to play basketball, but at the same time we do want to be compensated for what we deserve.”
Reese has been one of the key drivers of the league’s growth since being drafted in 2024, joining players like Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark as likely the two most popular athletes in the sport, drawing massive attention on a nightly basis.
Yet, both are still on rookie deals that pay just over $70,000 per year, totaling roughly $300,000 over the life of their contracts.
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