Support WNBA players in their contract fight

Despite a record-breaking season and players’ rapidly growing popularity, an outdated salary structure is keeping pay low

NEW YORK (October 30, 2025) — Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Seattle’s own Nneka Ogwumike — these women and dozens more have grown fan bases across the U.S. in the past two years. But despite skills and swagger that have drawn millions of eyes to WNBA games in recent seasons, players’ pay doesn’t reflect the value they’ve brought to the league.

That led WNBA players to opt out of their 2020 collective bargaining agreement last October, seeking instead to negotiate a new CBA with terms recognizing the league’s massive growth. Viewership has rapidly increased, with more than 54 million people watching in 2025. Combined, WNBA franchises are worth $3.5 billion.

But much of that money isn’t making its way to the players under the 2020 CBA’s structure. In negotiations, the WNBPA is pushing for a salary system linked to league revenue; the old CBA imposes a salary cap on players and limits revenue sharing. So far, WNBA management has dug-in their hells to keep the old salary cap structure in place. They’ve also been resistent to a revenue share set up closer to what is in use in the men’s NBA.

Photo: WNBPA

For a year now, players have stood firm in their demands. The deadline for a deal is Friday and the New York Times reports the WNBPA and the league are still far apart. It was reported Wednesday that the WNBA has offered a 30-day extension, per ESPN, although it’s unclear if the players will agree to it. Either way, stonewalling by the league and team owners at the table is opening the door for labor stoppages that could disrupt a league on the ascendance.

Through negotiations, support for the WNBPA has poured in. The WNBPA joined the AFL-CIO in 2023, and the Washington State Labor Council passed a resolution in 2024 in support of the players. Union members have joined players after games to share their support, and as the October 31 deadline approaches, that support has crescendoed.

Elected officials in localities with WNBA teams–including dozens of Washington state legislators–sent a letter to the league last week, wholeheartedly supporting players’ contract demands and urging commissioners and team owners to bargain in good faith. The player associations for other professional sports teams have also shown their support, most recently the NFL Players Association, which sent out a solidarity statement yesterday to hundreds of thousands of followers.

Now, the WNBPA is asking fans and labor family to share their support for the players and send an email to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver telling the league to get serious at the table.

TAKE A STAND: Use this link to send an email to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and urge them to bargain in good faith with the players.