The 2025 season is an enormous one for the WNBA for just a few causes. The league is within the midst of a surge in recognition that has led to 6 new growth groups, together with the Golden State Valkyries who’re of their inaugural season at present, and simply secured a brand new nationwide TV rights deal as a part of the NBA’s broader contract.
Which means cash is flowing into the W at a price by no means seen earlier than and the gamers wish to guarantee they’re getting their fair proportion. Previous to the season, WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike laid out a number of the biggest focal points for the players in negotiations, together with codifying constitution journey and a rise within the share of income that goes to the gamers. Nonetheless, the preseason optimism that the 2 sides would be capable to work out an settlement that each events have been proud of has waned on the gamers’ aspect after receiving the WNBA’s first proposal.
Satou Sabally known as it “a slap within the face” when talking to reporters on Tuesday, and Breanna Stewart echoed that sentiment on Thursday by saying it felt just like the gamers have been “ignored” by the WNBA’s preliminary provide.
“Completely annoyed,” Stewart stated of negotiations, via Owen Pence. “Anytime you go back-and-forth, you are not anticipating to listen to that ‘sure’ on the primary [proposal], however you are anticipating to have a dialog. They sort of simply ignored every little thing we stated.”
These aren’t the sort of updates followers have been hoping to listen to, but in addition not all that shocking at this stage of the negotiation course of. The homeowners know the stakes of those negotiations simply as a lot because the gamers, and so they’re hoping to safe as a lot of the incoming wave of income as doable. As talks proceed all through the season, we’ll see whether or not there is a change within the gamers’ sentiment and in the event that they consider progress is being made.
If not, there’s at all times the potential of a piece stoppage. WNBA gamers appear absolutely aligned on the problems and have an apparently tight union with regards to reaching a consensus on what is appropriate and what is not. The homeowners even have their priorities and we’ll see what the give and take is to succeed in an final conclusion on a deal, in addition to whether or not they can get it performed with out an interruption to the 2026 calendar.