Paige Bueckers Steps Into Spotlight Off the Court as WNBA Players Rally for CBA Reform
Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers joined more than 40 WNBA players Thursday in what the union described as the largest in-person meeting for collective bargaining negotiations in league history.
The group met with league officials ahead of All-Star weekend to continue discussions on a new collective bargaining agreement. It was the first such meeting since December, nine months after players opted out of the current CBA.
Among those in attendance were fellow All-Stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Players arrived dressed in business attire, underscoring the seriousness of the issues on the table and their shared commitment to long-term improvements.
“I’m encouraged,” said WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, via the Associated Press. “I’m just so inspired by the amount of players that showed up, the engagement that was there. That’s really what it’s all about.”
Union Focuses on Revenue Share, Salaries, and Flexibility
The players’ association is seeking significant gains in several key areas, including a larger percentage of league revenue, increased salaries, enhanced benefits, and changes to the salary cap structure to give teams more flexibility in roster construction.
The union submitted its formal proposal in February. League officials responded last month, but there remains a wide gap between the two sides.
Reese said the session helped her better understand the language and process behind negotiations.
“It was something that was very informative for me,” Reese said. “First time being able to see and hear the wording from both sides. I was really eager to know and understand what was going on.”
Terri Carmichael Jackson, executive director of the WNBPA, called the meeting a “spirited conversation” and emphasized how meaningful it was to see younger players like Bueckers participating in the process. No major progress was reported, but both sides agreed to keep the dialogue going.
League Growth Adds Pressure to Reach New Deal
The WNBA is experiencing rapid growth. The league recently finalized an 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights agreement that will take effect next season. Attendance, television ratings, merchandise sales, and digital engagement have all reached all-time highs this year.
Expansion is also underway. Portland and Toronto are set to join the league in 2026, with each team paying a $250 million expansion fee. By the end of the decade, the WNBA plans to grow to 18 franchises.
The union said in a statement that the league’s financial gains must be matched by improved conditions for players.
“This business is booming — media rights, ratings, revenue, team valuations, expansion fees, attendance, and ticket sales — are all up in historic fashion,” the statement read. “But short-changing the working women who make this business possible stalls growth.”
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert described Thursday’s meeting as constructive and told the Associated Press both the league and the union are still gathering input. She said she remains optimistic that a “transformational” agreement can be completed.
Time Remains, But Stakes Are High
The current CBA expires at the end of October. If no new agreement is reached, players could consider a work stoppage, which would disrupt free agency and the planned expansion draft. The WNBA has never lost a game to a labor dispute in its 28-year history.
The next bargaining session is expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks.
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