WNBA Players Demand Fairer Salaries Amid CBA Negotiations

Chicago, July 27, 2025

News Summary

WNBA players, led by Angel Reese, are advocating for fairer wages as collective bargaining talks continue. They seek improved compensation structures, arguing that current salaries are inequitable compared to other sports leagues. Player protests, including wearing shirts with ‘Pay Us What You Owe Us,’ highlight their unity in this struggle. Concerns over revenue sharing and financial losses in the league complicate negotiations, and there is a looming deadline to reach a new agreement before potential player work stoppages.

Chicago – WNBA players, including Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, are pushing for fairer wages amid ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. The stakes are high as the current legal framework governing player salaries is set to be revisited, creating a heated battleground around compensation structures within the league.

Reese, a prominent voice in this movement, has previously threatened a lockout in her quest for higher salaries. She underscores a unified player front committed to advocating for equitable revenue sharing, stating that their collective goal is to secure the compensation they deserve. Recent negotiations have seen around 40 players engage directly with WNBA officials, reflecting increased urgency and solidarity among athletes.

Player dissent became particularly visible during the recent All-Star Game when many wore shirts emblazoned with the message “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” This demonstration occurred as fans rallied in support during warmups and the MVP award presentation, creating a powerful atmosphere of unity.

In an ESPN interview, Reese stressed the critical role of team revenue and how revenue shares impact player salaries. She is committed to not only enhancing her own understanding of these issues but also to educating her fellow players, fostering a collaborative effort in this fight.

Financial concerns loom large. The WNBA reported a $40 million loss last year, leading some league officials to cite this deficit as a reason for reluctance to elevate player salaries. Presently, the average salary for a WNBA player hovers around $147,745, markedly lower than what athletes earn in other major American professional sports leagues. For example, average Major League Soccer (MLS) players take home $594,000, while players in the NBA, NFL, and NHL benefit from revenue-sharing agreements that afford them guaranteed salaries ranging from 47% to 51% of league revenue. By contrast, WNBA players receive only a portion of “excess revenue,” which is dispensed only if the league reaches certain financial goals.

The disparity in earnings is striking; WNBA player salaries range from $66,079 to $249,244, with an average base salary of $102,249. The NBA presents a stark contrast, featuring a minimum salary of $1.27 million and an average exceeding $13 million. Some analysts argue that direct comparisons between pay scales of the WNBA and NBA may be misleading due to the historical and revenue-generating differences between the leagues.

Concerns persist about the fairness of compensation structures, especially since many WNBA players receive less than 10% of the league’s overall revenue, prompting voices like Nneka Ogwumike to advocate for more equitable arrangements. As the deadline for a new CBA approaches in October, there is a growing potential for player work stoppage, intensifying the climate of negotiation.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has characterized the recent talks as “constructive,” suggesting that dialogue is ongoing, yet the need for substantial progress remains critical as players stand firm in their quest for better pay.

FAQ

Key Salary Comparisons

League	Average Salary	Minimum Salary	Revenue Share %
WNBA	$147,745	$66,079	Less than 10%
NBA	Over $13 million	$1.27 million	47%-51%
MLS	$594,000	–	25%
NFL/NHL	–	–	47%-51%

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Additional Resources

• WAPT: WNBA Salaries Compared to Other Leagues
• Newsweek: Angel Reese Sends Clear Message on WNBA Salary Negotiations
• Times of India: ‘We Are Underpaid’ – Stephen Curry Sparks Salary Debate
• New York Times: WNBA CBA Negotiations and Player Salaries
• The Guardian: WNBA Players Say They’re Not Paid What They’re Owed
• Wikipedia: WNBA
• Google Search: WNBA salary negotiations
• Google Scholar: WNBA salary disparities
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Women’s National Basketball Association
• Google News: WNBA salary