WNBA: Players’ union decides to opt out of current Collective Bargaining Agreement

Statement from the WNBPA:

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) announced today, the decision to exercise their option to terminate the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, as provided in Article XXXVIII, TERM OF AGREEMENT Section 1, Expiration Date. As such, the Agreement will terminate on October 31, 2019, or if later, the day following the final playoff game of the 2019 season. The 2019 season will proceed as scheduled.

The WNBA has been notified of this decision.

We look forward to our upcoming discussions and negotiating a new agreement with the league.

The CBA, signed in March 2014,ran through October 2021 but players had the option to terminate the agreement and renegotiate a new contract with a deadline of October 31 to make a decision. Players voted on the decision and negotiations will begin with issues like salary and travel arrangements expected to be among the most pressing issues.

The league is currently without a president as its former leader Lisa Borders resigned October 2.

In the meantime, NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum is running the WNBA.

“The league and its teams are committed to an open and good-faith negotiation that is rooted in the financial realities of our business, Tatum said in a statement. “We are getting to work immediately and are confident such a process can lead to a fair deal for all involved.”