Bold opening: A rift is opening inside the WNBPA, as top leaders push back on how the union is negotiating the next CBA. If you think player power doesn’t shape contracts, think again. Here’s what’s happening and why it matters.
Overview of the dispute
- Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart, both executive committee members, sent a three-page letter to Terri Jackson, the WNBPA executive director, voicing serious concerns about how negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement are being handled, including too little direct input from players.
- The letter, obtained by ESPN, requests a “changed dynamic” between PA staff and the players and argues that the players do not feel they have an adequate seat at the bargaining table.
- The union held an all-player meeting to discuss the letter and other topics, but declined to comment when contacted by ESPN. Plum and Stewart hold vice president roles within the union.
What the letter asks for
- A detailed breakdown of the WNBA’s expenses and revenues, to the best of the players’ understanding.
- A comparative analysis showing potential losses if a season is delayed or shortened by a strike, versus potential gains from a new CBA reached through continued negotiation.
- Aggregate results from a recent PA survey about players’ views on the league’s latest proposal.
- A clear description of rookie salary structures and how they scale across a rookie contract.
- Information on distributions from OneTeam Partners and a precise articulation of the Executive Committee’s roles and responsibilities.
- A precise definition of how the Executive Committee should function as a bridge between the negotiating team and the broader membership, ultimately helping secure player approval of any deal.
Context and timing
- The March 10 deadline for a term sheet on the new CBA is approaching, with the 2026 season deadline looming after a schedule-setting period that includes the college draft, an expansion draft, and free agency for more than 100 players.
- The WNBPA opted out of the previous CBA about 17 months ago (October 2024), and negotiations have intensified over the past eight months.
- Plum and Stewart say they have only been privy to negotiation details for under two months, having first seen a proposal in January, and they claim repeated requests for information have gone unanswered.
- ESPN has reported a broader debate within the executive committee about whether to hold out or accept a deal closer to the league’s latest proposal, with a recent player call indicating a majority still favors keeping a strike option on the table.
What the players want to see clarified or changed
- A comprehensive look at the league’s expenses and revenue streams, so players can grasp how costs are allocated and who benefits from them.
- An objective comparison of outcomes under different negotiation timelines, including the implications of a potential work stoppage.
- Insight into player sentiment across the league via a transparent survey, and how that feedback informs the negotiating stance.
- Structural details on rookie pay and how it evolves, ensuring players understand future earnings potential.
- Clear information on licensing revenue distributions and other external streams tied to the PA’s partnerships.
- A transparent explanation of the Executive Committee’s duties, ensuring players can trust the process and engage meaningfully.
Broader implications and responses
- The letter implies that a lack of information has fostered tension and division, potentially weakening the union’s leverage at a critical negotiating moment.
- Some players reportedly support the current approach and are comfortable with the leadership, while Plum and Stewart emphasize unity and informed participation as essential for negotiating leverage.
- The union has already begun discussing revenue sharing implications and housing concessions as part of recent proposals, signaling a major shift toward player-centric gains if agreement is reached.
- Critics may argue that pushing for more transparency could slow negotiations, while supporters contend that a well-informed, united player body is the strongest position for achieving a fair deal.
Engagement invitation
- The letter explicitly asks readers and league stakeholders to weigh in: do you believe the Executive Committee should be more tightly aligned with player input, or is the current leadership handling negotiations effectively enough to deliver a solid agreement? Share your thoughts in the comments.
