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The WNBA and its players remain far apart on financial terms in collective bargaining agreement negotiations, with the league’s latest proposal including a supermax salary near $850,000 and a veteran minimum around $300,000, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of negotiations.
The proposed figures represent significant increases from the current supermax of $249,244 and veteran minimum of $78,831. However, sources say the league’s model mirrors the current CBA, where revenue-sharing triggers only if league revenue exceeds certain targets.
The league has denied proposing a fixed salary model not tied to WNBA revenue. A WNBA spokesperson told Front Office Sports the league has made a “very compelling proposal” that significantly increases player compensation.
“We strongly agree with the players that they deserve to be paid more money and participate in the success and growth of the league,” a WNBA spokesperson told Front Office Sports in a statement.
“They are the face of the WNBA and their athleticism, skill, and charisma are what will continue to drive the league’s growth. That’s why we have made what we believe is a very compelling proposal on the essential terms of a new CBA that significantly increases the amount that WNBA players across the board would be paid – both in terms of guaranteed salaries and revenue sharing. We remain committed to negotiating in good faith and are confident that we will reach a new agreement that fairly compensates the current players and supports the long-term viability of the league for the generations of players to come.”
Multiple sources tell Front Office Sports a new CBA is not expected before the current agreement expires. The sides could mutually agree to an extension while continuing negotiations, similar to the 60-day extension in 2019.
Mark Davis bought the Aces for $2 million in 2021, while the Sun recently received multiple $300 million purchase offers. The league’s annual media rights income will more than triple starting next year, from $60 million to over $200 million.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s relationship with players has dominated headlines during the Finals. WNBPA VP Napheesa Collier called out Engelbert in a September 30 statement, claiming the commissioner said Indiana guard Caitlin Clark should be “grateful she makes $16 million off the court” during a February meeting.
Engelbert vehemently denied making comments about Clark. Within hours of the denial, Collier canceled a planned meeting with the commissioner.
A’ja Wilson said she was “disgusted” by Engelbert’s comments and commended Collier. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike wrote on social media that “Phee speaks for me.”
Phoenix forward Satou Sabally addressed the tension at the Finals, defending the personal nature of negotiations against comments from NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
“It is very personal, because the WNBA wants to forbid us to make a lot more money than we’re ever going to make here, what it seems like, in other leagues,” Sabally said. “People have families; this is our job. We make more money in China, Russia, Turkey, than here, so it is very personal.”
