The WNBA stands at a pivotal crossroads. The arrival of younger stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers has supercharged the league’s reputation. However a looming shutdown threatens to derail latest progress and jeopardize the careers of rank-and-file gamers, in line with NBA icon Charles Barkley.
On the finish of the 2024 season, the Ladies’s Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation (WNBPA) introduced it will decide out of the present Collective Bargaining Settlement (CBA), triggering negotiations for a brand new deal.
With simply three weeks remaining earlier than the CBA expires, talks stay stalled. One of the crucial contentious points is how staff income are distributed.
Gamers are demanding a bigger share of league income, whereas staff homeowners argue they’re working at a loss. As tensions rise, a strike seems more and more probably-and Barkley is frightened in regards to the fallout for non-superstar athletes.
What occurs to the WNBA’s center class?
In a latest look on The Wealthy Eisen Present, Barkley addressed the divide between stars and on a regular basis gamers.
“You have to perceive one factor about these negotiations: the celebs aren’t the identical because the common gamers,” Barkley stated. “The celebrities are those who drive the league, however many of the rank and file are common, good gamers.”
He warned that top-tier athletes might merely stroll away and type their very own league.
“If the WNBA went on strike and all of the A’jas, Nepheesas, Caitlins-those girls-went to Unequalled, they’d begin their very own league,” Barkley stated, referencing the 3×3 league based by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
He famous that Unequalled presents gamers fairness and profit-sharing. “They might begin their very own league, make thrice the cash they’re making now. That may screw the opposite gamers within the WNBA.”
The Unequalled issue
Unrivaled was created to provide gamers an opportunity to remain stateside and earn revenue in the course of the offseason. However Barkley believes it might turn out to be a lifeboat for stars-and go away others stranded.
“In the event that they screw up and go on strike, a bunch of these star gamers might go to Unequalled and begin their very own league,” he stated. However not all of them would have a spot in that league.
Gamers ignored of Unequalled can be compelled to play abroad or put their careers on maintain, with no assure of a roster spot as soon as the strike ends.
