Alyssa Thomas isn’t any stranger to powerful discussions. The Phoenix Mercury star is spearheading the third-best staff within the WNBA. The proclaimed “engine” is firing on all cylinders, on and off the basketball courtroom.
Throughout Friday’s media availability on the WNBA All-Star, Thomas detailed her stance on the collective bargaining settlement discussions.
“I believe up to now once we’d speak lockout, it was laborious,” Thomas stated by way of Desert Wave Media Co. “So many younger gamers do not understanding, however I believe we have now a united entrance, and now folks perceive increasingly how vital that may be, so it’s thrilling that we’re all on the identical web page.
“If a lockout is what it involves, I believe we’re ready for that.”
The Phoenuix star is not the one one bracing for a lockout. Fellow teammate Satou Sabally is greater than prepared for that to occur. After the Mercury All-Star starter known as the CBA proposal ‘a slap within the face’, many really feel the identical approach.
Breanna Stewart, Angel Reese, and Natasha Cloud have expressed comparable and simply as potent sentiments. Almost 24 hours earlier, the gamers and the league had a gathering, the place nothing transpired.
That might be a part of Thomas’s stance. Though she wasn’t within the assembly, she has been concerned in these conversations all through her total profession.
Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas has united stance amid CBA negotiations
Many gamers have echoed the identical considerations concerning the brand new CBA. Among the points embody participant salaries, participant expertise, and income sharing.
They need a extra worthwhile mannequin, and one which displays the rising nature of the WNBA. The final two rookie courses have elevated the league and have put it within the nationwide highlight.
Informal sports activities followers are seeing how elite these girls are at their craft.
With the CBA set to run out in October, it appears extra probably than not that the gamers will lockout. Leagues like Unequalled and Athletes Limitless present a pathway for gamers to get the reps they want.
To not point out, a handful of gamers nonetheless go abroad to international locations like China and Spain to take part in these respective leagues.
Both approach, Thomas, her Mercury group, and others across the WNBA will proceed to combat for a extra balanced and useful CBA.