WNBA players remain focused on better pay in CBA talks

As the WNBA celebrates record attendance, rising TV ratings, and the addition of the Valkyries, its players are “demanding a larger share of the league’s growing revenue, citing disparities in pay and broadcast income compared to their NBA counterparts” in CBA talks, according to Angelica Medina of REUTERS. Under the current CBA, WNBA players receive between 20-25% of basketball-related income, far below the NBA’s approximate 50%. As negotiations become a “zero-sum game,” the NBA’s 42% ownership stake — once a lifeline — now “faces scrutiny as potentially constraining the women’s game from realising its full economic potential.” NYU professor and women’s sportswriter Jane McManus said, “Negotiations of media rights are incredibly important. That’s why I think the WNBA players pulled out of the CBA early, because they felt they had not been maximising revenue.” She added, “Without the NBA’s investment there wouldn’t be a league today, but theoretically, the WNBA is strong enough now to negotiate independently” (REUTERS, 6/25).

ALL ABOUT THE PLAYERS: USA TODAY’s Nancy Armour noted the average valuation of $269M is a 180% increase from last year. Sportico released its latest valuation of the 13 WNBA teams on Tuesday. Negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA are private, so it is “unclear what prompted the collective warning from players over the weekend.” Maybe they “got wind of Sportico’s valuations.” Armour: “Maybe it’s a result of the op-ed in the New York Times earlier this month by Noble Prize-winning economist Claudia Goldin, who said W players are making 1/80th of what NBA players make rather than the one quarter or one third that would be required for equitable pay.” What W players are asking for “is a fair share,” and the W and its owners are “going to have to open their wallets to get them there.” Armour added sports are “driven by stars, not owners.” Fans are “shelling out for tickets, merch and the league pass because of” Fever G Caitlin Clark, Aces C A’ja Wilson, Lynx F Napheesa Collier, Sky F Angel Reese, Liberty F Breanna Stewart and Wings G Paige Bueckers, “not because of any owner.” Which means the players “need to be equal partners” (USA TODAY ,6/25).

BORN LEADERS: In Las Vegas, Callie Fin noted at the annual Title IX awards on Monday at Allegiant Stadium, Aces G Chelsea Gray was one of the award presenters. A day before the ceremony, players around the WNBA used game-day interviews to read statements about the CBA negotiations, saying that the process represents a “defining moment” for the league. Gray said, “We’re not talking about getting paid the same as the men. But we just want the opportunity to play under a CBA that shows the growth that we’ve created thus far.” Aces President Nikki Fargas mentioned that watching the players “she knows so well work as advocates is ‘special’” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/24).