The WNBA players’ union announced Thursday, December 18, that its executive committee had been authorized by a near-unanimous vote of its members to call “a strike when necessary.”
The WNBPA’s statement comes as new collective negotiations are underway between the league and the union. Talks stalled ahead of the 2025 season ending in October, when the Las Vegas Aces eliminated the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.
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“The players have spoken,” the WNBPA said in a statement. “Through a decisive vote with historic participation, our members have authorized the WNBPA Executive Committee to call a strike if necessary. The players’ decision is an inevitable response to the state of negotiations with the WNBA and its teams.”
The strike authorization came from 98% of those who voted yes and 93% turnout, according to the release. This does not mean that a strike is imminent. But it’s a major step toward what could become the first players’ work stoppage in WNBA history. This comes as the league reaches an all-time high in popularity and media attention.
“Time and again, the players’ thoughtful and reasonable approach has been met by the WNBA and its teams with resistance to change and a recommitment to the draconian provisions that have unfairly restricted players for nearly three decades,” the statement continued.
“The players’ vote is neither a call for an immediate strike nor an intention to continue it. Rather, it is a categorical affirmation of the players’ confidence in their leadership and their unwavering solidarity in the face of ongoing efforts to divide, conquer and undervalue them. Let it be known. Players remain united, determined and ready to fight for their worth and their future.”
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The league released a statement saying it was aware of the union’s vote and saying it misrepresents the current state of negotiations.
“The league remains steadfast in its commitment to reaching an agreement as quickly as possible and delivering a 30th season for fans, teams and partners,” the statement read in part. “We have negotiated in good faith and with urgency, and remain focused on finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement that not only significantly improves compensation, benefits and player experience, but also does so in a way that ensures the long-term growth of the game and the league’s ability to serve the next generation of players.”
The players’ executive committee is made up of several WNBA All-Stars, including Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm, who serves as the union’s president. The vice chairs are Kelsey Plum of the Los Angeles Sparks, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty. Washington Mystics vice president Alysha Clark also serves as vice president. Elizabeth Williams of Chicago Sky is the secretary and Brianna Turner of Indiana Fever is the treasurer. They are the ones who will make the final decision whether or not to call a strike.
“I’m confident in the players’ association and where we stand internally with our players and the future,” Collier said Dec. 16 during a media session for Unrivaled, the professional winter 3-on-3 women’s basketball league she co-founded with Stewart. “The conversation has happened now. People see that changes need to be made. It’s coming from so many different directions, so many people feel that way. We’re just excited for the future.”
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On Dec. 12 at the U.S. women’s basketball camp, attended by Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper, Plum called the discussions “a little discouraging, just the frustration in the negotiation and how far along we are.”
Negotiations are tense due to disagreements over proposals regarding income distribution and wage systems.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, players receive just 10% of revenue, compared to 90% for the league. For the new CBA, the union wants to more than double the revenue share, or around 30% of the total league and team revenues, according to Athletics.
The union cites the new 11-year media rights deal worth $2.2 billionwhich will take effect next season, and the league’s plan to expand teams from 13 to 18 by 2030. The five new teams will each pay $250 million in expansion fees. Players advocated for the new CBA to have a veteran minimum salary of around $300,000 and a supermax of $1.1 million. The veteran minimum was $66,000 and the supermax was around $249,000 in 2025.
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The deadline to finalize the new collective agreement has been extended from November 30 to January 9.as the two parties are far from reaching a new CBA agreement. This is the second extension of the deadline, following the original deadline of October 31. The extensions include a provision that allows either side to end them with 48 hours’ notice, after which the union could go on strike or the league could initiate a lockout.
This article was originally published on Arizona Republic: WNBA players union votes in favor of possible strike in collective bargaining
