WNBA players union head issues fiery response to Adam Silver as heated talks drag on - New York Post
Original story by: New York Post
Last updated: Oct 23, 2025
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- Context: The WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) are in a dispute over the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) as the current one nears its expiration. The core of the disagreement centers on player salaries and how they should be tied to the league's revenue growth.
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- Detailed Summary:
- The WNBPA, led by executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson, is pushing for a salary system that directly reflects the league's business growth and values player contributions. They argue the league's current proposals undervalue players and are a delay tactic.
- NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated players are due a significant increase in compensation and that revenue share isn't the correct framing. However, Jackson contends that any proposed increase is tied to a flawed revenue-sharing model that benefits the league first and undervalues players.
- A WNBA spokesperson refuted Jackson's claims, stating the league has offered an "uncapped" revenue-sharing component that would allow player compensation to increase with league revenue without a ceiling. The spokesperson accused the union of misrepresentations and engaging in delay.
- The league asserts the WNBPA has not presented a viable economic proposal and has refused to engage meaningfully on many of the league's proposed terms.
- Reports indicate the WNBA's latest proposal includes a super-max salary closer to $850,000 and a veteran minimum around $300,000 for the first year, both increases from the current CBA, where the super-max is $249,244 and the veteran minimum is $78,831.
- Players desire a salary model akin to the NBA's, where basketball-related income influences the salary cap.
- The current CBA expires on October 31st. Negotiations are ongoing, but an extension is considered likely, similar to the process in 2019.
- Key offseason WNBA activities, including the draft lottery, expansion drafts, free agency, and the college draft, are contingent on the ratification of a new CBA.
- Both sides aim to avoid delaying the start of the next WNBA season and are calling for continued good-faith negotiations.
- The NBA, which holds a 42% stake in the WNBA, has not commented on the situation.
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