WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis: CBA Negotiations Stall Amidst Unpaid Dues

During the WNBA All-Star events in Indianapolis from July 17 to 19, discussions sparked about the impressive athletic abilities displayed and the significant negotiations surrounding the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Initiated in 2020, the current CBA will remain effective until October 31, 2027, unless either party—WNBA or the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA)—chooses to opt out by providing notice by November 1, 2025. This impending deadline intensifies the ongoing negotiations’ importance. WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson stressed the players’ determination in pursuing a transformative CBA. “Our aim is significant progress in discussions,” she remarked. Players expressed their solidarity during warm-ups on July 19 by wearing “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts, a decision confirmed by Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum on game day. The WNBA has made notable strides since the 2020 CBA, yet players assert their revenue share remains disproportionately low. As negotiations continue, the players remain united in their pursuit of equity and will advocate for fair compensation to secure their future.