It is a big day for women in sports. The WNBA has agreed to invest more in the players, both financially and mentally. The league and the player’s association have agreed to a new eight-year collective bargaining agreement that includes an increase in salaries, paid maternity leave and travel improvements.
It was no secret the league had a long ways to go to catch up to the NBA. Many players are forced to play overseas just to make enough money, resulting in more injured stars. Under the new agreement, base salaries jump from $117,500 to $215,000. It’s still far from the men’s historic deals. However, it’s a step in the right direction as the league’s popularity continues to grow.
“We believe it’s a groundbreaking and historic deal,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told ESPN. “I’m proud of the players; they bargained hard, they unified, they brought attention to so many important topics.” Engelbert continued by saying they wanted to approach this deal with a players-first mentality. She praised the players for their hard work and dedication to the new deal. Engelbert
WNBA union president Nneka Ogwumike praised the deal for both players and the league long term. The WNBA has pledged a thirty percent increase in salary cap , allowing for the higher max player to make almost double their current salary. Travel arrangements will also be upgraded to include a hotel room for each individual player and extra leg room on team flights.
There will also be a 53 percent increase in total cash compensation players can earn. Cash compensation consists of base salary, additional performance bonuses, prize pools for newly created in-season competitions, and league and team marketing deals. Changes will also be made to free agency which allow players to move around more. Players can still be given a “core” designation, similar to a franchise tag, but changes will be made on how many times a player can be given that designation.
The proposed new in-season competition will be “the Commissioner’s Cup”. It will be a competition that starts at beginning of the season. Before the Olympic break teams will compete and the top two teams will have a final game. This is an additional way for players to earn more money while also adding more competition to the League.
Probably the most innovative and impactful part of the agreement is that players with children will receive both a stipend and a two-bedroom apartment. Players will receive full salary will out on maternity leave. Players will be reimbursed for costs related to adoption, surrogacy and other fertility treatments. This is a ground-breaking concept that could be brought into the real world for people with non-athletic careers.
Congratulations to all of the players for betting on themselves and winning!
