The WNBA collective bargaining agreement expired at 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 9.
The league and players’ union are likely to enter into a status quo period, where they continue to negotiate. In that case, player benefits would continue and a lockout or strike can be declared without notice.
The WNBPA released a statement to USA TODAY Sports, 30 minutes before Friday’s deadline, to voice their disappointment in the pace of the negotiations and explain an inflatable rat positioned in front of the NBA Store in New York.
“At midnight, the 2020 WNBA-WNBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement will expire. Despite demonstrating our willingness to compromise in order to get a deal done, the WNBA and its teams have failed to meet us at the table with the same spirit and seriousness. Instead, they have remained committed to undervaluing player contributions, dismissing player concerns, and running out the clock.
‘Today’s display of an inflatable rat, a universal symbol of labor protest, outside of the NBA Store, calls attention to how the league and its teams have handled these negotiations. By delaying and clinging to the status quo, they are jeopardizing the livelihoods of players and the trust and investment of fans, all in the name of preserving regressive provisions that no longer belong in women’s basketball.
‘Players care deeply about their fans and take pride in honoring that loyalty every time they take the court. The league’s tactics harm current and future players and marginalize the very people who show up for the game in communities across the country.
‘This misguided approach will not work. In the face of the league and teams’ actions, the players remain undeterred, unafraid, and unwavering in their commitment to doing what is necessary to secure a transformational new CBA. This agreement must include a salary system tied to a meaningful share of the revenue that would not exist without player labor, mandate professional working conditions, and require protections that honor the players who built this league and set the next generation up for success.
‘Make no mistake. Pay equity is not optional and progress is long overdue. We urge the league and its teams to meet this moment. The players already have and will continue to do so.”
The WNBA released this statement early Saturday morning:
“The current Collective Bargaining Agreement has expired, and negotiations with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association remain ongoing. As the league experiences a pivotal time of unprecedented popularity and growth, we recognize the importance of building upon that momentum. Our priority is a deal that significantly increases player salaries, enhances the overall player experience, and supports the long-term growth of the league for current and future generations of players and fans.”
The players have prioritized increased revenue sharing and salary structures in negotiations. The sides differ on whether revenue sharing should be net or gross income, the percentage of the share and the salary cap.
“We’ll continue to negotiate in good faith. It doesn’t mean that on Saturday we’re going to have a lockout, unless the league does something that we’re not prepared for,” New York Liberty All-Star Breanna Stewart said Friday on the ‘Good Game with Sarah Spain’ podcast. ‘That’s not going to happen.’
When asked about a timeline to get a deal done, Stewart seemed cautiously optimistic it wouldn’t take too much longer.
“Hopefully, everything can be done by February 1,’ Stewart said. ‘Even if we agree, we still have to wait for the contracts to be written. So there’s a lot to be thinking about. It’s not just like, ‘Oh, you’re done now, it’ll work.’ If we can get by February 1, we’ll all be in a good place.”
Offers could be sent because of labor law
The WNBA has an obligation to allow clubs to send qualifying offers under the expired agreement because of U.S. labor law. According a person with knowledge of the situation, GMs and executives from every franchise have been called by the WNBA to let them know the status quo period would allow for qualifying offers to free agents beginning on Jan. 11. Any offer would be under the old CBA, so it would be purely procedural to stay in line with labor laws. It has been reported by several outlets late Friday there may be a moratorium reached by both sides to avoid going through the motions.