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USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
WNBA CBA negotiations heat up as season resumes after All-Star break: Here's what to know
The matchup between Team Napheesa Collier and Team Caitlin Clark at 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis was overshadowed by the players' full-court press for better pay and benefits amid collective bargaining agreement negotiations. The biggest names in the game made a bold statement in front of an announced crowd of nearly 17,000 fans by wearing black pregame T-shirts that read, "Pay Us What You Owe Us." The message was clear and remains in the forefront of everyone's minds as the second half of the WNBA season resumed Tuesday. 'We see the growth in the league and as it stands, the current salary system is not really paying us what we're owed," said Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA president and Seattle Storm All-Star. "We want to be able to have that fair share moving forward, especially as we see all of the investment going in, and we want to be able to have our salaries be reflected in a structure that makes sense for us.' MORE: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's legacy is at stake after being booed by crowd chanting 'Pay Them!' When is the CBA set to expire? What are the players asking for? Here are five things you need to know about the ongoing CBA negotiations as the current agreement is set to end in less than four months. When does the current CBA run out? The current CBA, which was signed into effect in January 2020, shortly after Cathy Engelbert took over as commissioner in 2019, was set to expire after eight seasons in 2027. The WNBPA, however, exercised its right to opt out of the agreement last October amid unprecedented growth in the league, meaning the CBA will now end on October 31, 2025. (The 2025 WNBA Finals will end on October 19 at the latest.) If both sides don't reach an agreement before the CBA expires, the league could experience a work stoppage and temporarily shut down until a contract is signed. A lockout could result in the 2026 season being delayed or canceled, which players have called a last resort. The WNBA has never experienced a lockout in its 28-year history, although the 2003 WNBA draft and preseason were postponed before a new CBA was reached in 2003. During the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend, Engelbert said she has "confidence we can get something done by October," although she wouldn't "put an exact date on it." She added, "Would we like to get it done? Yes. Does it have to be done exactly on that date? We've got some room to continue negotiations if we're close at that point." However, the league and union appear to be far apart on negotiations as the CBA expiration date looms. More than 40 players showed up for an in-person meeting with league officials last Thursday in Indianapolis. Although Engelbert called the meeting "productive," many WNBA expressed frustration over the stalled negotiations and described the meeting as a "wasted opportunity" and outright "disrespectful." What are the players asking for in terms of revenue? Collier, who serves as the WNBPA Vice President, said the players have prioritized "two main points" of concern amid negotiations — increased revenue sharing and salary structures. The players are holding out for a revenue-sharing model that ensures "our salaries grow with the business," WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said. But Ogwumike, one of the 40 players that attended the CBA meeting with the league this past weekend, said the WNBA offered up a "fundamentally different" revenue model than proposed that features a fixed percentage. 'We were disappointed, for sure, in what they came back with,' WNBPA vice president and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier said on Saturday. 'It was just nowhere near what we asked for. Or even in the same conversation.' What is the revenue share for players right now? Under the current agreement, WNBA players receive 9.3% of the league's revenue, according to Market Watch, which includes income generated through ticket sales, TV deals, licensing and merchandise. The WNBA's revenue share agreement is significantly lower in comparison to other professional leagues. NBA players receive 49-51% of all basketball-related income, while NFL players get 48% of all revenue and NHL players receive 50% of revenue. How have revenues for the league gone up? The WNBA has experienced rapid growth and capitalized on the skyrocketing popularity surrounding the 2024 draft class, including phenoms Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The league turned in its most-watched regular season in 24 years and recorded its highest attendance in 22 years last season and the WNBA shows no signs of slowing down. "National viewership is up 23 percent year over year. Attendance is up 26 percent, the highest in decades. We're seeing sold-out arenas becoming routine," WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said on Saturday. "Merch sales have shattered previous records, up 40 percent, driven by rookie sensations coming in this year and veterans." The league responded to unprecedented demand with plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030. Following the addition of the Golden State Valkyries this season, the WNBA will also add the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire (slated to begin play in 2026), in addition to teams in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030). The last three teams paid a staggering $250 million expansion fee to join the league. The Valkyries, who paid a $50 million expansion fee in 2023, are already valued at over $500 million, according to a June report from Sportico. The average WNBA team is worth $269 million, with six teams worth at least $250 million, further highlighting the league's profitability. The WNBA also announced a new 11-year media rights deal worth a reported $2.2 billion in July, which averages about $200 million a year, beginning the 2026 season. What role will Unrivaled play in a possible walkout? Although players have repeatedly stated a lockout is the last resort, Collier said the players are preparing themselves for "every outcome." On Saturday, she reiterated a message the union has communicated to players: "We don't want (a stoppage), but you have to be prepared. ... Make sure you have money squared away." Having options doesn't hurt. The additions of the Unrivaled 3x3 basketball league (founded by Collier and Breanna Stewart) and the Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball league have provided players alternate avenues to earn money outside of the WNBA while staying in the country. "Women's sports is exploding and rapidly growing and it feels like everyone is benefiting from that except the women in the sports," Collier said in April following the first season of Unrivaled. "That's why we are so proud to offer the highest average salary and why having all the players have equity in the league is important to us. Treating women's athletes how they should be treated." The inaugural Unrivaled season, which ran in the offseason from January to March in Miami, saw players earn a median salary of $220,000, according to the Associated Press. In comparison, WNBA salaries for the 2025 season range from a minimum of $66,079 to a maximum of $249,244 under the current CBA. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty: TV channel, time and Caitlin Clark injury update
The WNBA All-Star break is over and the 2025 regular season resumes Tuesday with another huge Eastern Conference showdown between the Indiana Fever and defending WNBA champion New York Liberty. The Fever will be without star Caitlin Clark again after she suffered a right groin injury. It will be the 12th overall game she has missed this season. Indiana (12-11) enters the second portion of its schedule in sixth place in the WNBA's standings, with the top eight qualifying for the playoffs. The Liberty (15-6) are on a three-game winning streak and currently have the second-best record in the league behind the Minnesota Lynx. Reigning WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones is also off the team's injury report after dealing with an ankle injury since last month. The Liberty were 9-0 before Jones got hurt and went just 7-5 in games in which she didn't play, including a loss to the Fever when Clark returned from her last stint on the team's injured list. This will be the fourth and final scheduled meeting between the Fever and Liberty this season. New York won two of the three games, and most recently scored a 98-77 victory over the Fever when they faced one another last week in their final game before the All-Star break. Clark also sat out that game due to injury. Here's how to watch Tuesday's WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty: What time is Fever vs. Liberty? The WNBA regular season game between the Indiana Pacers and New York Liberty on July 22, 2025 is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET. How to watch Fever vs. Liberty WNBA game: TV, stream Watch Fever vs. Liberty with Fubo
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
The Minnesota Lynx won four WNBA championships from 2011-17. Will Napheesa Collier lead them to another this season?
The Lynx pictured Collier being next in a long lineage. 'Knowing that the team was being passed to me in a way that they had kind of primed me for that leadership,' Collier said, 'that just brings a different mind-set where you have to be more aggressive.' In seven seasons, she's done nothing but prove the Lynx right. Advertisement Collier is a five-time All-Star ( NAPHEESA COLLIIIIER 🔥🔥 36 PTS. 9 REB. NEW SCORING RECORD. And your — WNBA (@WNBA) On top of that, as vice president of the Women's National Basketball Players Association, Collier has been instrumental in the players' push for a larger share of revenue in an era of growth and expansion. And she's doing that while also being a co-founder of 'She's gone from 2019, the rookie learning how to lead, to look where she is now,' Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. 'Being an entrepreneur with Unrivaled really elevated her, being a part of the [WNBPA] executive committee, representing the entire league as part of a group that is trying to bring the league forward. She has grown so much.' Advertisement The Lynx have made the playoffs in all but one of Collier's seven seasons. (She missed much of the 2022 season while on maternity leave). But that was never the ceiling. 'I think there's been high expectations since I got here,' Collier said at All-Star weekend. 'Even in our 'rebuilding years,' we still had four championships, so there was like residual vengeance from other teams where now they feel like they could beat up on us.' That didn't last long. The Lynx won the Commissioner's Cup last season, then marched to the WNBA Finals, coming within a win of what would have been a record fifth title. This season, they've been a machine, a league-best 20-4. They have the league's best net rating (plus-12.4), and they're dangerous from essentially everywhere on the floor (67.9 percent shooting in the paint, 41.6 from midrange, and 35.1 percent on 3-pointers, all second in the league). Collier is putting together another season worthy of MVP consideration, averaging 23.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, scoring from all three levels, while being a top-10 rebounder and top-five rim protector (1.6 blocks per game). 'She is so graceful, no matter what the movement is,' Reeve said. 'Even when she's trash talking. It's very graceful when you look at it. I don't have that in just a half of my pinkie, the level of grace that she has.' Advertisement And with the Lynx hunting another title — their first in the Collier era — nothing has changed, including the expectations. 'I feel like we're back more in that top-dog spot,' Collier said. 'I don't really feel like that ever went away. So it feels natural to the Lynx, and I think they always embrace it. When there's a target on your back, it means you're good and people want to be where you are. So, that's a good place to be.' Appointment viewing Atlanta Dream at Las Vegas Aces, Tuesday, 10 p.m.: The Aces, hanging on to the eighth spot in the standings, are trying to shake off an underwhelming first half. They get a chance to make up some ground against the Dream, who are two games ahead in the standings. Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty, Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Expect a shootout between the top two 3-point-shooting teams in the league. Both teams average 10 threes per game. Seattle Storm at Washington Mystics, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.: Earlier this month, the Storm blew a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead to the Mystics. Now that Mystics rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron are All-Stars, it's hard to imagine they'll sneak up on anyone in the second half. Julian Benbow can be reached at
New York Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Sandy Brondello cherishes rare family weekend during WNBA All-Star festivities
We've got you covered on the Liberty beat Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. tRY IT NOW INDIANAPOLIS — There's nothing quite like an impromptu family vacation to Indianapolis, right? OK, so maybe that city doesn't top the average list of desired getaway spots. And this weekend is technically a work trip for Liberty coach Sandy Brondello and her husband and assistant Olaf Lange. Advertisement But family time can be a rarity for them, especially with their oldest son, Brody, playing basketball in Australia and their teenage daughter, Jayda, living at the family's home base in Phoenix. So anytime together is better than being apart. And this trip is worth cherishing. 'It wasn't planned,' Lange told The Post, 'but we're grateful.' 3 Assistant coach Olaf Lange (L) and head coach Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty talk in the second quarter of Game Two of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs finals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 11, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images Advertisement Admittedly, Brondello thought she was free from All-Star coaching obligations since the Mercury were a half game ahead of the Liberty in the WNBA standings with only the Wings on deck earlier this month before the top two WNBA coaches were picked. But the Mercury surprisingly lost their July 3 game, which meant the Liberty had the second-best win percentage in the league. So much for those plans to lay low and enjoy a summer weekend in New York ahead of the second half of the Liberty season. Advertisement Don't get it wrong: Brondello was honored to be named a coach for Saturday's All-Star Game, and the rest of her family was excited to spend time together. Covering the Liberty like never before Sign up for Madeline Kenney's Inside the Liberty, a weekly Sports+ newsletter. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters 'We'll enjoy the whole part of it,' Brondello said. 'They love being around the team. They love getting to know the players and it's great that we get to share [this] with our family.' The family of four planned to go to dinner and attend several of the events taking place over the weekend, including Sabrina Ionescu's party on Thursday. They also attended Friday night's festivities and watched Natasha Cloud win the skills challenge and Ionescu become the 3-point champion. Advertisement Talk about an amusing Friday night for this — as Lange put it — 'family of all basketball fanatics.' 'It's become this fun weekend where there's a little bit of work to do but [not nearly as much] that happens during the season,' Lange said. 3 Olaf Lange and Sandy Brondello look on before the game against the Minnesota Lynx during Game 3 of the 2024 WNBA Finals on October 16, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NBAE via Getty Images Brondello and Lange's intense passion for basketball has been inherited by their two children. Neither Brondello nor Lange forced Brody and Jayda to play the sport they made careers out of, but the two naturally gravitated toward the game at a young age. Jayda plays on her high school basketball team, and Brody is in Brondello's native country developing his game. When he was at Liberty practice last week, he took some reps going up against WNBA players. Given that Jayda lives a shorter flight away, she's around the Liberty more often. After practices, Lange has been seen working with her on her floater and Brondello on the 15-year-old's catch-and-shoot 3s. Advertisement This lifestyle — one that they've been practically living since Brondello and Lange met in Germany in the 1990s — works for them. Brondello and Lange, who married in 2005, have coached alongside one another in San Antonio, Russia and for Australia's national women's basketball team. 3 Kiki Iriafen of the Washington Mystics and head coach Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty react during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star practice sessions at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 18, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images They coached against one another in the 2021 WNBA Finals when Lange was then an assistant on the Chicago Sky's staff and Brondello headed the Phoenix Mercury. Advertisement 'We've been doing this for almost 30 years, it works for us,' said Lange, who joined Brondello in Brooklyn in 2022. 'I understand that many people say, 'I couldn't work with my spouse.' But we've been doing this since we were young. So for us, it's just our life. And we got home, we still talk about basketball every day, and we love it.' His kids enjoy it, too. 'It's really fun because I always know that they're telling me the right things and they're always going to be honest,' Jayda said. 'It's very nice to have all the resources and opportunities just to learn more. It's really fun.' Advertisement Attending WNBA Finals games, being part of last year's championship parade in New York and getting behind-the-scenes access to this year's All-Star festivities are just some of the perks. 'When they're grown up and they're looking back on all those years, they will realize how special these days were,' Lange said. 'You never realize it as much when you're in the moment.'
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabrina Ionescu is having a down year, but she's making it work
Editor's Note: This story is part of a series from SB Nation profiling the 2025 WNBA All-Star teams. Today, let's get to know Sabrina Ionescu. Sabrina Ionescu hit one of the biggest shots in basketball history last October, a Game 3 game-winner in the WNBA Finals, en route to her first WNBA championship. 'It's a shot that I take often,' she said. 'I take it in practice, I take it before the games. It's not like a Hail Mary, hope-this-goes-in. Once I got it off, I was like, 'Yeah, this is it.'' She followed that massive moment up with another All-Star season, this time averaging a career-best points per game. Ionescu is an All-Star for the fourth time in her career, adding another accolade to an accolade-filled resume. The 5'11 guard is the NCAA's all-time leader in triple-doubles, was the Naismith College Player of the Year her senior year at Oregon, and has been a three-time member of the All-WNBA Second Team. And, she famously holds the record for most threes made at an All-Star three-point contest at either the NBA or WNBA level — that record was set when she hit 25 of 27 attempts en route to 37 points in 2023. This season, Sabrina Ionescu has struggled offensively The Liberty's title defense season hasn't been all smooth sailing. While the team was dominant at full strength, things haven't been the same since last year's Finals MVP, Jonquel Jones, went down with injury. They've dropped five of their last ten games, and Ionescu has been in a bit of a slump herself. On Saturday, in a narrow win over the Dream, Ionescu scored 9 points on just 3 of 20 shooting. On Wednesday, she followed that up with a 15-point, 5-14 shooting performance (albeit alongside 9 assists). This season, the former Oregon star has averaged 18.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. She's shooting 38% from the field and 30.9% from three, both career lows. Still, she'll partake in the WNBA All-Star three-point contest on Friday, where she'll instantly be one of the headliners, alongside Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and several others, including Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, and Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron. And, almost inevitably, she'll soon find her rhythm. The Liberty guard holds the record for most threes made in a single WNBA season (128 in 2023). That season, she shot a ridiculous 44.8% from three. Since then, she's hit plenty of big ones. Amid the shooting struggles, Ionescu is getting to the line more than ever before, attempting 4.9 free throws per night on a ridiculous 93.4% shooting. Her defense is better than ever, and she's averaging a career-best 1.6 steals. Ionescu, despite some uncharacteristic shooting struggles, remains critical for the Liberty's repeat hopes.
