Nneka Ogwumike goes behind-the-scenes on WNBA CBA negotiations

Nneka Ogwumike is a 10-time WNBA All-Star and one of women’s basketball’s most talented players.

But these days, the veteran’s name has become almost as synonymous with her work off the floor as her success on it. Ogwumike, who has been the president of the WNBA players’ union since 2016, has spent the offseason spearheading negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement — negotiations that threaten to bleed into the beginning of the WNBA season, which is currently set to begin on May 8th.

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As it currently stands, the players and ownership have not seen eye to eye on a slew of issues, including revenue sharing and housing, and both sides remain at a standstill. And with the WNBA on the heels of several of its most highly rated seasons, and two new professional teams set to join this Spring, Ogwumnike reflected on the undeniable enormity of the moment.

“It definitely doesn’t feel casual,” Ogwumike told SB Nation in a phone interview from the Women’s Leadership Summit at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, where she was a featured speaker. “I don’t think that anything we do ever feels casual, but we feel like the moment is there — we feel like we’re in that historical moment. And this is certainly one of those situations. I’m very grateful to even be a part of the league and the growth that we’re experiencing today. And to be able to negotiate my value in something that is increasing in valuation is phenomenal, especially being a small part of the framework and the foundation that makes it what it is today — and what it can be beyond.”

How Nneka Ogwumike balances life with union leadership

Through the CBA negotiations, Ogwumike hasn’t lost sight of the main thing: her playing career. While she is currently deep in the WNBA offseason, she works out for three to four hours every morning, and subsequently dives into her wide-ranging responsibilities as WNBPA President.

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“Every day isn’t the same, but there’s communication about CBA negotiations, at least for me, every single day —whether it’s our staff, our council, our executive committee, our player leadership board, or even individual players,” she said.

It helps that Ogwumike is not leading negotiations alone; different players play different roles, and the union’s leadership includes players like Kelsey Plum, Elizabeth Williams, Brianna Turner, Alysha Clark, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart.

That — coupled with her previous experience successfully negotiating the 2020 CBA — certainly helps.

“I’m not doing any of this by myself,” she said. “And, now being in a second negotiation as president, it’s not anything that you ever truly figure out, but I do think that you’re able to field more support in different ways. You’re able to understand that there’s purpose in what you do.”

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Juggling her daily workouts and WNBPA responsibilities has been something she’s long been doing: “It’s still an ongoing process,” Ogwumike said with a smile. “I don’t ever really figure it out.”

She has learned, however, to set boundaries. Only a few select ‘favorited’ contacts can contact her directly: “One thing that I learned from the past was I don’t just necessarily make myself available 24/7.”

Still, it’s a priority for Ogwumike to ensure that she has a direct line of communication with all of the league’s 140+ players. That’s also the most challenging part of the job.

“The hardest part for me is ensuring that every player feels like they have a relationship with me,” she said. “Now, granted, it’s not necessarily a reality that I’m going to be close with everyone, but I do want to make sure that every player feels like they can approach me, even if I’m not able to get to them. So it’s not necessarily hard, but it definitely takes more time and effort to ensure that that’s how players feel.”

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Nneka Ogwumike’s perspective on how CBA negotiations have gone

Ogwumike smiled when asked how CBA negotiations have gone between WNBA leadership and the players’ union.

“I feel like we are exercising some amazing patience, and I feel like we’re unified in that, and we’re unified in our messaging and our priorities and what we want to be able to negotiate,” she said. “Coming out of this, there are things that we are not compromising on, but we still also understand the aspect of negotiating in good faith. And so, that’s something that we’re going to continue to do.”

And, she made clear that though an imminent deal is a priority, what’s most important is the deal’s substance.

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“Ideally, this would have gotten done a little bit earlier, but we want a good deal, rather than one that’s done in a fashion that suits a schedule,” she said. “And so we’re looking forward to being able to come out of this proud of what we’ve negotiated, proud of the process, while also looking forward to having a season. Our players want to play, we want to play, but we also want to be valued on the court — and that’s something that we’re negotiating for today.”

You might think Ogwumike feels like the weight of the world is on her shoulders.

But the reality is that she’s mostly filled with gratitude for the fact that she and her fellow players are in this position.

And, she’s optimistic that a resolution is coming.

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“We’re playing in a league that people dreamed of, and we want to continue to create a league that we are dreaming of today,” Ogwumike said. “And so, I’m just very grateful. I don’t think that it ever really feels like stress. I think it feels like motivation, inspiration, and a lot of dedication, especially when you’re in it every day with these phenomenal women. And I’m looking forward to seeing another historical moment for us.”