NEW YORK—The Women’s National Basketball Association
(WNBA) and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA)
announced todaythat they have reached an agreement on a new Collective
Bargaining Agreement (CBA), pending ratification by the players and the
league’s Board of Governors.
The new eight-year CBA, which commences with the 2020 season
and runs through 2027, provides the foundation to chart a new course for
women’s professional basketball. The 2020 CBA features significant
investments by the league and its teams aimed directly at increasing player
salary and compensation, improvements to the overall player experience, resources
specifically designed with the professional female athlete in mind, as well as
a commitment to implement an integrated marketing plan league-wide.
Foremost among the deal terms is a 53 percent increase in total
cash compensation, consisting of base salary, additional performance bonuses,
prize pools for newly created in-season competitions, and league and team
marketing deals. Under the new CBA, the league’s top players will be able
to earn cash compensation in excess of $500,000, representing a more than
tripling of the maximum compensation under the prior deal. Other top
players will have an opportunity to earn between $200,000 and $300,000.
And for the first time in WNBA history, the average cash compensation for
players will exceed six figures, averaging nearly $130,000, resulting in an
increase for all players from rookies to veterans.
Additional highlights include enhanced player experience with
respect to travel and child care benefits, and expanded offseason career
development opportunities. The landmark agreement also features a more
liberal free agency system, and a more robust and equitable revenue-sharing
model based on league revenue growth.
“We approached these negotiations with a player-first agenda, and
I am pleased that this agreement guarantees substantial increases in
compensation and progressive benefits for the women of the WNBA,” said WNBA
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “I want to thank the players, led by WNBPA
President Nneka Ogwumike and the WNBPA Executive Committee, as well as WNBPA
Executive Director Terri Jackson, for their hard work, innovative thinking and
professionalism throughout the process. I also want to thank the league’s
Labor Relations Committee and Board of Governors for their investment,
commitment and leadership as we look forward to working together to make the
WNBA a sustainable and thriving business for generations of women’s basketball
players to come.”
“Cathy Engelbert, the first WNBA Commissioner, brought her
perspective as a former women’s basketball student-athlete, her experience as a
business professional and her passion for the game to these negotiations,” said
WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike. “We found common ground in areas that
confirmed the league’s and the players’ intentions to not only make meaningful
improvements in working conditions and overall professional experience, but
also to improve the business with strategic planning and intentional marketing
that will keep the WNBA front and center year-round.”
“With cautious optimism and trusting the league’s renewed
commitment and investment, the players demonstrated a willingness to ‘lean in’
themselves and show an even greater commitment and investment in the W,”
described WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson. “There are significant gains
all across the board in this new agreement, and everything is in place for our
players and the league to thrive.”
The following are the key elements in the new 2020 WNBA-WNBPA
Collective Bargaining
Agreement:
- Additional cash compensation elements:
Minimum of $1.6 million in off-season league and team marketing
agreements, that both recognize top performance and highlight the diversity of
the league, and would create up to $300,000 in additional annual cash
compensation for select players.
Minimum of $750,000 in prize money for special competitions
beginning with the 2021 season.
New 50-50 revenue sharing beginning with the 2021 season, based on
the league achieving revenue growth targets from broadcast agreements,
marketing partnerships and licensing deals.
Increases in cash bonuses for performance awards (such as for WNBA
MVP and Rookie of the Year), and newly created cash bonuses (such as for each
player named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team)
- Quality of travel elements:
Premium Economy class status (such as Comfort/Economy Plus) for
all players for regular-season air travel.
Individual hotel room accommodations for every player.
A collaborative effort to address travel concerns through the
Player Advisory Panel.
- Motherhood and family planning elements:
Players to receive full salary while on maternity leave.
A new annual childcare stipend of $5,000.
Two-bedroom apartments for players with children.
Workplace accommodations that provide a comfortable, safe and
private place for nursing mothers.
New, progressive family planning benefits of up to a $60,000
reimbursement for veteran players for costs directly related to adoption,
surrogacy, oocyte cryopreservation or fertility/infertility treatment.
- Free agency elements
Unrestricted free agency available to players one year earlier
than under the prior agreement beginning with the free agency period leading up
to the 2021 season. Specifically, players who complete the playing services
called for in their contract and have five or more years of service will become
unrestricted free agents (if they are not designated as a “Core” player).
Reduction in the number of times a player can receive the “Core”
designation – from four to three beginning with the 2020 season, dropping to
two beginning with the 2022 season.
- Career development and other quality of life elements:
The WNBA will work with its affiliated leagues, teams and sponsors
to provide off-season job opportunities designed to prepare players for their
post-playing careers and will advance diversity in coaching initiatives for
veteran players interested in coaching careers.
Enhanced mental health benefits and resources.
An augmented and holistic domestic/intimate partner violence
program that includes education and counseling.
A joint Nutrition Council committed to identifying resources and
address proper nutrition to optimize athletic performance.
Access to experts in women’s health and representation on league
policy committees.
The WNBA also announced today the formation of a first-of-its-kind
collective – WNBA Changemakers – which brings together values-driven
businesses who lead the way in the advancement of women through sports. This
new platform is designed to directly support the WNBA in its transformation
across marketing, branding, and player and fan experience. With a fresh
approach to sports sponsorship, Changemakers are deeply invested in driving
positive change for the WNBA, women’s sports, and women in society. Inaugural
Changemakers include AT&T, Deloitte and Nike.
—Staff Reports
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