The position WNBA Rumors: Why 7-Figure Max Contract Value in CBA Negotiations is ‘Misleading’ appeared first on Clutch Points.
Last month, the WNBA and players’ association agree to 30-day extension in terms of ongoing negotiations as they faced an October 31 deadline to agree on a new collective agreement. As the second deadline approaches on November 30, some details of the WNBA’s latest proposal have been revealed, including a potential increase in maximum contract values.
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Reportedly, the WNBA is offering players a maximum starting contract of around $1 million during the latest CBA negotiations. However, this proposal in terms of maximum salary is not exactly which it appears to be, according to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports. That maximum contract of approximately $1 million would be contingent on the WNBA meeting specific revenue-sharing goals.
“Several sources familiar with the league’s collective bargaining negotiations said the numbers are misleading. Even if salaries max out at more than $1.1 million in the league’s offer, the base supermax contract would still pay between $800,000 and $850,000 per year — as was the case in early October,” Costabile reports. “The $1.1 million figure represents the combined revenues of a base salary and potential additional revenue sharing, the league source said. Under the league’s offer, no player would sign a contract in 2026 with a base salary of $1.1 million.”
As the CBA negotiations continued, the negotiations became contentious at times, reaching a boiling point in September when Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier blasted the league during her exit interview. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert responded to the comments with disappointment.
During WNBA All-Star Weekend, fans chanted “pay them” as Engelbert presented the game’s MVP award. Players also made a strong statement when they showed up to All-Star Game warmups wearing jerseys that read, “Pay us what you owe us.”
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The WNBA is experiencing a period of tremendous growth and popularity, with Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury. break an audience record for 28 years.
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