VNBA rejects collective bargaining agreement proposed by players

The conflict continues between the players’ union (VNBPA) and WNBA about the new collective agreement. The players’ union sent a new offer to the Major League Women’s League this Tuesday in which it lowered its ambitions.

In December, the players were looking to recoup 31% of gross revenue, with a payroll of $10.5 million. This first offer was deemed unrealistic by the VNBA and the players’ union is now seeking 27.5% of gross revenue and a salary cap of $9.5 million for the first year.

Another point of discussion: the issue of housing. Since its inception in 1999, the VNBA has had to provide housing for its players. In its latest proposal, the league proposes to offer small apartments to players earning minimum wage and those without VNBA experience. Here, too, the players’ union is asking for more and wants the League to offer accommodation to players during the first years of the new collective agreement coming into effect. However, according to this proposal, in a few years the VNBA will no longer be obliged to provide housing for players who have a salary close to the maximum.

An unrealistic proposal according to the VNBA

However, this new proposal by the players’ union was rejected by the VNBA, which claims it proposes redistributing 70% of net revenue, which corresponds to less than 15% of gross revenue.

“The players’ union’s latest proposal remains unrealistic and would cause hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for teams,” the league responded. “We still have to put together two drafts and free agency before training camps start and we’re running out of time. We believe the WNBA proposal would be an important win for current and future players.”

According to the WNBA, this new proposal would cause a loss of $460 million to a league that is just starting to turn a profit after years of operating at a loss. However, a source close to the negotiations reported on ESPN that this projection would be skewed, explaining that it depends on whether expansion costs are taken into account (or not) in the calculations.

The WNBA, for its part, is proposing a $5.65 million “salary cap” that could change depending on revenue. She adds that she has made concessions in other areas with two new spots in the team, the possibility for pregnant players to refuse a transfer or even the abolition of marijuana tests.

Debates between the two camps continue as to the date for the resumption of the season, hoped for on May 8 by the VNBAfast approaching.