NEW YORK — The WNBA and the league’s players union met in person Wednesday to discuss a new collective bargaining agreement.
“Today’s meeting included preliminary conversations and constructive dialogue, with a mutual agreement to continue discussions for a transformational, new CBA,” the two sides said in a joint statement.
The WNBA players union opted out of the current collective bargaining agreement in October. The current CBA will still cover the 2025 season, so the two sides have a year to negotiate a new agreement.
The early opt-out marks a crucial juncture for the league. The WNBA signed a historic 11-year media rights deal worth $200 million a year.
The league had record attendance and viewership this year that culminated when the New York Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx in overtime on Oct. 20 to win the WNBA Finals in a decisive fifth game.
At the meeting Wednesday were WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike as well as Kelsey Plum, Elizabeth Williams, Napheesa Collier, Satou Sabally, DiJonai Carrington and Stefanie Dolson. WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson and additional union staff and advisers were there as well.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was joined by WNBA Labor Relations Committee members and additional league…
