Spanish
SANTO DOMINGO — In a show of unity and determination, WNBA players took advantage of the All-Star weekend to demand respect and equity amid the stalled negotiation process for the new collective bargaining agreement with the league.
During the event held in Las Vegas, figures like Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, and A'ja Wilson —all vice presidents of the players' union— led a forceful collective message: “We will not yield.”
The players wore jerseys with the phrase "Pay us what you owe us," alluding to the economic inequalities that persist in the league. Caitlin Clark, one of the rising stars, also wore the jersey, reinforcing intergenerational support within the group.
First meeting in months... without progress
The meeting between league representatives and the players, the first in-person one in months, was described as "frustrating" and "a missed opportunity" by the union. Stewart expressed her disbelief at the league's lack of preparation: "It was shocking. There were hardly any points in common. Maybe two topics we can move forward on." Since the players rejected the previous agreement nine months ago and presented new proposals five months ago, no significant progress has been made. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert insisted that "conversations are a process" and that both sides are "in listening mode," although the athletes doubt that real willingness to dialogue.Stagnant Wages Amidst a Commercial Boom
While the value of the franchises skyrockets and television revenue will reach $200 million annually from 2026, the players' salaries are still limited to a maximum of $250,000 and they barely receive 10% of the generated income. In contrast, men's leagues usually offer their athletes up to 50%. "We want a piece of that growth," A’ja Wilson expressed. "We see it, we understand it, and we're going to demand it."A Decisive Moment
This moment is reminiscent of the fight of the United States women's national soccer team, which in 2019 sued its federation for equal pay. As then, the WNBA players trust in their preparation, in the support of the public and in their conviction of justice.
"The league has a choice: to collaborate as a fair partner or to be seen as an authority that only yielded to pressure," said Nneka Ogwumike, union president.
