Ever since the beginning of CBA negotiations, Sophie Cunningham has been quite vocal about its proceedings. And even this time, she’s not staying silent.

As WNBPA vice president, Breanna Stewart said on January 9, the league has now entered a "status quo," wherein the current CBA will be maintained while the two parties continue to negotiate in "good faith."

However, 'The Enforcer' feels that things aren't really going in the right direction. "Our CBA is so dumb right now that it’s heading toward a lockout," Cunningham shared during the January 15 episode of her Show Me Something podcast.

Well, the Players' Union is indeed authorised to call out a strike when necessary. Back in mid-December, about 93% of eligible members voted, with 98% authorizing the players’ executive committee to call a strike. 

So while the league is currently in a status quo, the union already has that option in the worst-case scenario, as it tries to negotiate a new CBA to avoid a delayed season.

But when co-host West Wilson asked about the progress, Soph didn’t exaggerate. “No. Honestly, nothing. We get weekly emails from the PA side of things, and it’s just so dumb. Dumb, dumb, dumb,” she said.

So far, the league has put forward a proposal under which players would receive in excess of 50% of net revenue, that is, revenue after expenses are subtracted. However, the union isn’t willing to take up this offer.

What does the Players’ Association have to say?

Since the beginning of CBA negotiations, the players’ union has been focused on revenue sharing. They want 30% of the league’s gross revenue, arguing that the players, who provide the labor and have no control over expenses, shouldn’t be paid last.

But according to the WNBA, the proposed 30% of gross revenue and a $10.5 million salary cap would result in $700 million paid out over the course of the agreement, more than the league's combined losses over its 29-year existence.

However, the union believes the revenue-sharing model would still put the league in a profitable position. So, as Soph said, clearly the two parties are "far apart." The possibility of a "lockout" can't be ruled out either.

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Souvik Roy