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12/18 15:05 CST WNBA players union authorizes negotiators to call a strike if
needed during CBA talks
WNBA players union authorizes negotiators to call a strike if needed during CBA
talks
By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- WNBA players have authorized their union's executive council
to call a strike if necessary, the union announced Thursday as it continues to
negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the league.
The WNBPA and league have been negotiating a new agreement for the past few
months, extending the deadline a couple of times with the latest one set to
expire Jan. 9. The move gives union negotiators another tool to use in talks.
"The players' decision is an unavoidable response to the state of negotiations
with the WNBA and its teams," the union said in a statement. "Time and again,
the players' thoughtful and reasonable approach has been met by the WNBA and
its teams with a resistance to change and a recommitment to the draconian
provisions that have unfairly restricted players for nearly three decades."
The union said there was overwhelming support in the vote to allow the
executive council to call for a strike when it sees fit. With 93% of players
voting, 98% voted yes to authorize a strike if needed.
"The players' vote is neither a call for an immediate strike nor an intention
to pursue one. Rather, it is an emphatic affirmation of the players' confidence
in their leadership," the statement said.
Players and owners have been meeting regularly to negotiate. Increased salaries
and revenue sharing are two big areas that the sides aren't close on.
The league offered a max salary that would have guaranteed a $1 million base,
with projected revenue sharing pushing total earnings for max players to more
than $1.2 million in 2026, a person familiar with the negotiations told The
Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Nov. 30
because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.
Napheesa Collier, who is on the executive council, said in a Zoom earlier this
week that players are also fighting for child care and retirement benefits. She
acknowledged that revenue sharing remains the main issue, which is why other
topics haven't been talked about as much.
"I don't think there's fatigue," Collier said. "Obviously, there's frustration
in that both sides are trying to get what they want, but we still have that
fire within us that we're willing to do what it takes. We're going to do
whatever it takes to get what we think we deserve."
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark said at USA Basketball camp last week that
this was the "biggest moment in the history" of the league.
"It's not something that can be messed up," Clark said.
"We're going to fight for everything we deserve, but at the same time we need
to play basketball. That's what our fans crave. You want the product on the
floor. In the end of the day that's how you're marketable, that's what the fans
want to show up for."
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
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