Players And Commissioner Narratives Clash Over WNBA CBA Negotiations

WNBA players wore shirts stating "Pay What You Owe Us" during warmups for the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis. This action was a direct message to Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league's board of governors, emphasizing the players' demand for a larger share of revenue in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

The protest was organized during a players-only meeting on Saturday morning. This meeting followed a Thursday session between the WNBPA and the league, which left many players feeling frustrated. Players described the Thursday negotiations as unproductive, with Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell stating the shirt action was necessary to make their position "clear and cut," and New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart (WNBPA Vice President) calling it "a wasted opportunity" filled with "fluff" that prevented deeper discussion.

Players criticized the tone of the league's negotiating team, describing it as patronizing. Seattle Storm's Gabby Williams felt the league underestimated players' understanding, trying to "impress us with like some fancy numbers, some fancy language" without realizing players grasp the implications for revenue sharing. Liberty's Natasha Cloud echoed this, stating "our intelligence is insulted," and emphasizing players understand economics, business models, and the league's trajectory.

The core disagreement centers on revenue sharing. The WNBA rejected the WNBPA's initial CBA proposal, and players found the league's counteroffer disrespectful, even "a slap on the face." While aligned on issues like family planning and retirement benefits, revenue sharing remains the main sticking point. Veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike clarified the conflict involves two models: the league proposes a fixed salary percentage, while players want compensation tied to league revenue growth. WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson characterized the revenue sharing talks as involving "spirited conversations," stopping short of calling it progress.