The WNBA Players Association has withdrawn from its contract with the WNBA. The players want to secure a better deal after the dynamic 2024 season, which saw record attendance and viewership.

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WASHINGTON – The WNBA players’ union has withdrawn from its collective bargaining agreement, a historic move aimed at securing higher salaries for players in a record year for women’s basketball.

The dramatic increase in attendance and ratings propelled the WNBA to new heights in 2024, from the arrival of a star-studded rookie class to last week’s five-game finale between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, which averaged more than attracted a million TV. viewers.

The league has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan to build on this year’s success, with a thirteenth team set to debut next season, followed by two more in 2026. A new media rights deal reached this summer has seen the TV revenues from the competition will multiply in the coming years. .

But salaries have yet to reflect that success, union leaders say. The current union agreement provides for a rookie minimum salary of $64,154 for an experienced supermax of $241,984. Many players spend the WNBA offseason playing in international leagues to supplement their income.

“If we stick to the current agreement, we’re going to fall behind,” said Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike, the president of the WNBPA and a nine-time All-Star.

“Opting out isn’t just about higher salaries – it’s about claiming our rightful share of the business we’ve built, improving working conditions and securing a future where the success we create benefits the players of today and generations to come,” she said. in a press release announcing the decision.

The opt-out allows the current agreement to remain in effect through the 2025 season. If the league and players are unable to reach a new contract within a year, a work stoppage could take effect after next year’s season ends.

Jonquel Jones #35 of the New York Liberty and Kayla McBride #21 of the Minnesota Lynx tip off to start Game Five of the WNBA Finals on Sunday. The Liberty defeated Minnesota in overtime to win the championship. Now the league’s Players Association has terminated her contract to secure higher wages.

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“With the historic 2024 WNBA season in the books, we look forward to working with the players and the WNBPA to create a new CBA that is fair to all and lays the foundation for growth and success for years to come,” said WNBA commissioner. Cathy Engelbert in a brief statement.

The union said it would also pursue improvements in other benefits, including “minimum professional standards” for team facilities and travel, an expansion of the league’s pension plan and more support for family planning.

“We recognize the true value of the players, and we no longer want to be in a position where we have to choose between better pay and other improvements such as travel or facilities,” said Satou Sabally, a fellow Dallas Wings forward. chairman of the union’s CBA committee.

The 2024 season was the first year the league provided charter trips for most teams.

The WNBA’s media rights deal is being negotiated as a package with the NBA. Collectively, the eleven-year agreement reached in July is worth $76 billion. Of that total, 3% – or about $200 million per year – is reserved for the WNBA. The rights deal allows for this percentage to be revisited in three years if the WNBA’s popularity continues to grow.