As WNBA labor deadline nears, players union is ‘frustrated’ by lack of progress

WNBA CBA Negotiations: Deadline Looms Amid Stalled Talks

Summary

WNBA players and the league face a January 9 deadline to finalize a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. With the league experiencing record growth, players are demanding major increases in salaries and benefits, citing frustration over pay equity. A potential work stoppage threatens to stall the league’s momentum if a deal is not reached.

Key Points

  • Deadline Pressure: The deadline for a new CBA is January 9, following an extension from the original October 31 expiration.
  • Core Demands: Players seek significant pay raises and a larger share of league revenue, especially after a sixfold increase in media rights revenue.
  • Current Proposal: The WNBA’s latest offer includes raising the max salary to ~$1M (potentially $1.2M+ with revenue sharing) and increasing the average salary to over $500,000.
  • Major Dispute: A key sticking point is revenue sharing; the players’ union wants 30% of total revenue, more than double the league’s proposal.
  • Frustration & Stakes: Union leader Terri Jackson expressed frustration, stating the league sometimes treats “pay equity as optional.” Both sides agree a work stoppage would be “catastrophic” for the league’s growth.
  • Star Players’ Stance: Stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have publicly emphasized the desire to avoid any missed games.

WNBA劳资协议谈判:最后期限临近,谈判陷入僵局

简报摘要

WNBA球员与联盟面临1月9日的最后期限,以敲定新的劳资协议。在联盟经历创纪录增长之际,球员们要求大幅提高薪资和福利,并对薪酬公平问题表示失望。如果无法达成协议,潜在的停工可能阻碍联盟的发展势头。

关键要点

  • 最后期限压力:新劳资协议的最后期限是1月9日,这是在原10月31日到期日基础上延长的。
  • 核心诉求:球员要求大幅加薪,并在联盟收入(尤其是媒体版权收入增长六倍后)中获取更大份额。
  • 当前提案:联盟最新提议包括将顶薪提高至约100万美元(加上收入分成可能超120万),并将平均年薪提高至50万美元以上。
  • 主要分歧:关键争议点是收入分成;球员工会要求获得总收入的30%,是联盟提议的两倍多。
  • 不满与风险:工会负责人特里·杰克逊表示失望,称联盟有时将”薪酬公平视为可选项”。双方均同意停工对联盟增长将是”灾难性的”。
  • 球星立场:凯特琳·克拉克、安吉尔·里斯等球星已公开强调希望避免任何比赛缺席。

Original Article Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/17/wnba-collective-bargaining-labor-union-updates.html

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