Angel Reese has advised a participant strike is on the desk if the WNBA doesn’t meet calls for for the brand new Collective Bargaining Settlement (CBA).
The Girls’s Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation (WNBPA) has already opted out of its present CBA, which means the deal will expire in October this yr, relatively than in 2027.
5
With various sticking factors between gamers and the league workplace, a chronic dispute is alleged to be looming.
And talking on Friday, Reese claimed her fellow WNBA stars are able to take motion.
“I have to be within the (gamers’ union) conferences as a result of I’m listening to that if (the league) don’t give us what we would like, we’re sitting out,” the Chicago Sky energy ahead informed Dijonai Carrington on her Unapologetically Angel podcast.
“That’s a risk, for actual,” Carrington responded.
In accordance with Sportico, Carrington was the WNBPA union rep for the Connecticut Solar final season, earlier than being traded to Dallas final month.
Reese, in the meantime, doesn’t have a proper position within the group, as Diamond DeShields served because the Sky’s rep in 2024.
Her former teammates, Elizabeth Williams and Brianna Turner, who are actually with Indiana Fever, are the WNBPA’s secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Reese, although, was a part of a rookie class that helped change the dynamics of the WNBA final yr, with the arrival of Caitlin Clark additionally contributing to an explosion in reputation.
Final July, the league struck an 11-year media take care of Disney, Amazon Prime Video and new rights holder NBCUniversal, that’s mentioned to be value an enormous $2.2billion, or $200m yearly.
That can start in 2026, whereas enlargement groups in San Francisco, Portland and Toronto have been confirmed.
5
5
Reese herself signed a four-year, $324,383 rookie contract forward of her first professional season, with a base wage of just below $75,000.
Throughout her dialog with Carrington, she famous that the 2025 WNBA Draft class will in all probability make considerably much less cash than the one which follows as a result of subsequent CBA altering the wage construction.
She added that it’s even doable rookies below the subsequent CBA will out-earn her.
“We deserve extra, everyone,” Reese, who was named a WNBA All Star in her debut season, mentioned.
Final October, the WNBPA introduced its choice to choose out of its collective bargaining settlement with the league, giving the events 12 months to barter a brand new deal within the wake of the game’s huge development.
“The gamers made the choice to choose out of the final CBA to realign the enterprise and save the league from its personal limitations,” WNBPA govt director Terri Carmichael Jackson mentioned in a press release.
5
“With a stronger basis and new investments flowing in, they’re opting out once more – this time to completely professionalize the league, safe correct wages, enhance working situations and lock in significant advantages.”
Gamers are additionally anticipated to push for an ‘equity-based’ financial mannequin primarily based on the league’s enterprise measurements, minimal facility and journey requirements, expanded retirement advantages and elevated household assist.
Reese, who has already established herself as one of many greatest names in girls’s basketball, has beforehand advised her WNBA wage not sufficient to pay her payments.
“I simply hope you recognize the WNBA do not pay my payments in any respect. I do not even assume that pays considered one of my payments,” she mentioned on Instagram.
5
“Actually, I am attempting to consider my hire for the place I keep at. I am gonna do the maths actual fast. I do not even know my wage.
“Yo, I am dwelling past my means! No, my hire is greater than that. It is $8,000. I am dwelling past my means.”
On prime of her WNBA wage, Reese additionally has endorsement offers with the likes of Reebok and Beats by Dre.