The WNBA CBA negotiations could totally reshape the future of women’s basketball. Here’s 5 lessons the WNBA can pick up from NBA and NFL CBA talks about $$, benefits & growth.
The WNBA CBA negotiations right now… whew, they’re kinda a big deal. Players want more, fans are buzzing, and the Oct deadline is creeping up fast. But here’s the question nobody’s asking loud enough—what can the WNBA actually learn from how the NBA and NFL CBA negotiations played out?
Cuz history shows, leagues that negotiate smart = leagues that last. So let’s break down the five lessons the WNBA can learn from NBA and NFL CBA talks, and maybe imagine what it’d look like if they actually did it.
1. Revenue Sharing Needs to Favor Players (like, a lot more)
If there’s one thing NBA/NFL figured out, it’s this: players deserve a fat slice of the pie. NBA guys get about 50% of basketball-related income, NFL players too get a biggish share.
Now the WNBA? lol… way behind. And that’s the issue. Imagine if the players here got like 40–50% of revenue. Salaries wouldn’t just “bump up,” they’d explode. Suddenly no one’s hustling overseas in the offseason just to pay bills. That’s not a wild dream—it’s literally doable.
2. It’s Not Always Just About the Money
Money matters (obv), but past NBA & NFL deals showed players also fight for stuff like travel, healthcare, maternity leave, even pensions.
This is where the WNBA could flip the script. Imagine no more red-eye commercial flights, or better retirement security after 10 yrs grinding. Even simple perks like consistent charter flights would make a massive diff. Sometimes those “small” things change careers more than a raise ever could.
3. Rookie Deals + Supermax Need a Makeover
The NBA cleaned up rookie contracts yrs ago by setting standard rookie scale deals, and later supermax ones for stars. NFL too made rookie deals smoother so no rookie is left haggling.
If WNBA did this? Rookies would know their first 4 yrs are stable, no guessing games. And when a player turns superstar—hello Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson—they’d be eligible for a real supermax, not just “slightly more than average” money. Fans love seeing stars stay loyal, and $$$ keeps em around.
4. Transparency = Trust (and less drama)
Here’s a sneaky lesson: both NBA & NFL eventually learned players want receipts. Like, literally. Show the books. Show the TV money. Show sponsorship $$$.
The WNBA should lean hard into this. Be upfront about profits/losses and players will trust the system more. Transparency kills drama before it starts, and the league earns respect instead of suspicion.
5. Stop Short-Term Fixes, Think Long Game
One mistake NBA/NFL made in past deals was only fixing the “now.” Then boom—problems popped up again a few yrs later. The better CBAs? They were written with 10-yr vision baked in.
For the WNBA, that means think global expansion, digital broadcast rights, even offseason support so players don’t burn out flying to Euro leagues. A CBA with a future plan is a CBA that builds a dynasty.
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Why It All Matters for the WNBA
The WNBA isn’t just “growing,” it’s blowing up. But here’s the scary part: if the CBA doesn’t evolve, that growth might hit a wall.
Picture this tho:
- Players finally get 45% of revenue.
- Every flight is charter.
- Supermax deals make stars stay home instead of leaving for $$ abroad.
That kinda deal would change everything. Fans get better games, stars stick around, sponsors flood in. Everybody wins.
FAQs
Q1: So what even is the WNBA CBA?
Basically the giant contract between the league + players union. It decides pay, travel, benefits, all that stuff.
Q2: Is it as good as the NBA one?
Uh no lol. The NBA’s is way more player-friendly. The WNBA’s still catching up.
Q3: Why’s revenue sharing the big deal?
Cuz it literally decides how much money players actually see. Without it, salaries stay meh. With it, boom—growth.
Q4: Could WNBA stars really get supermax like NBA guys?
Yep, and they honestly should. Imagine how easy it’d be to market stars when their contracts finally match their value.
Q5: What if no deal gets signed by the deadline?
Messy. Players can opt-out, union pushes harder, league has to renegotiate. It’s a gamble—but gives players leverage.
Final Word
At the end of the day, the WNBA CBA negotiations aren’t just about this season, they’re about the league’s next decade. And if the W really takes notes from the NBA and NFL CBA negotiations, they’ll see the blueprint is already there.
Fairer revenue splits. Better benefits. Real supermax contracts. Honest transparency. And most importantly—long-term vision.
If they nail this CBA, it won’t just make headlines… it could change women’s basketball forever.
