WNBA Players Push for 4 Game-Changing Demands as New CBA Details Revealed: Report

With a new 40-day extension for the WNBA and WNBPA’s CBA negotiations in place, an end to the entire ordeal is seemingly in sight. Players have rejected multiple offers from the league, staying adamant about their demands for a revenue-sharing model tied to the league’s growth.

In their latest offer, the league had proposed a 10-14% share of its total revenue to the players. However, the players have more demands before they will be willing to sign off on a new deal.

Kareem Copeland

@kareemcopeland

Additional details from CBA negotiations, per sources: - League has proposed a 10-14 percent share of total league revenue. - Players oppose the core and reserved contract designations - Players looking to shorten the length of rookie-scale contracts - Players looking for

On Wednesday, league reporter Kareem Copeland shared four demands that players have posed to the league:

• Players opposed the core and reserved contract designations
• The WNBPA is looking to eliminate team-exclusive negotiating rights.
• Players looking to shorten the length of rookie-scale contracts
• The WNBPA wishes to see the rookie-scale contract shortened from four seasons to three.
• Players looking for maternity leave for non-birthing parents
• The league’s proposal in the new CBA allows non-birthing parents one week of paid parental leave. The WNBPA is yet to counter.
• Players looking for “meaningful” retirement benefits
• The sides have discussed a one-time payment for former players with a certain number of years of service. The WNBPA also seeks medical benefits for retired players.

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WNBA's new CBA proposal reportedly cuts housing benefits

Shortly after both sides agreed on a 40-day extension for CBA negotiations, the WNBA submitted another offer to the WNBPA. The new offer reportedly proposes an average annual salary of $500,000. While this is more in line with the compensation the players are seeking, it comes at the cost of housing benefits.

With the current CBA, teams provide players with housing or a monthly housing stipend. The league's new proposal eliminates this and also proposes eliminating the provision of cars for players.

According to multiple reports, the WNBPA is set to reject the league's new offer. With another month of negotiations set to follow, this is only the beginning of yet another period of back and forth between both sides.

The league is expected to ramp up its efforts to reach a deal as the emergence of new women's basketball leagues like Project B and Unrivaled continues to mount pressure on the WNBA.