WNBA Players Demand Fair Pay: Why Collective Bargaining in the Private Sector Matters
During warm-ups for Saturday night’s WNBA All-Star Game, players from both Team Clark and Team Collier made a unified statement by wearing shirts that read: “Pay Us What You Owe Us.”
The message followed a failed in-person meeting between players and the league on Thursday to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). WNBA players previously opted out of their existing CBA last October and are now pushing for a more equitable revenue-sharing model, higher salaries, improved benefits, and a more flexible salary cap.
“I’m just so inspired by the amount of players that showed up, the engagement that was there,” said WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike. “That’s really what it’s all about. Because the more that happens, the more we’re going to be able to get things done.”
Despite the energy behind the movement, players reported a significant gap between their demands and what the league is currently offering. If no new agreement is reached by October, some players — including All-Stars Napheesa Collier and Angel Reese — have expressed openness to a potential walkout.
Private vs. Public Sector Unions: A Key Distinction
On this blog, we support private sector unions, such as the WNBA’s players association. These are voluntary organizations within privately-owned businesses, and workers are free to negotiate collectively without involving taxpayer dollars.
What we strongly oppose, however, are public sector unions. In the public sector, if services decline — or if the organization becomes inefficient or bankrupt — citizens have no choice but to pay taxes and rely on it. Unlike private companies, there is no competition or opt-out mechanism. Worse, public sector unions can hold taxpayers hostage through work stoppages or political lobbying, despite no politician ever winning 100% of the public vote. That lack of accountability is undemocratic and dangerous.
In contrast, if the WNBA’s CBA negotiations fail, the league could face financial consequences — even bankruptcy. That’s the nature of a free-market system, and it’s a risk both ownership and labor must navigate. But at least in the private sector, those risks are voluntary and contained.
The Caitlin Clark Factor
There’s no denying that Caitlin Clark is currently the WNBA’s most valuable asset — a rare superstar who attracts millions of fans without relying on sex appeal, something that has historically influenced marketing in women’s sports. What makes Clark special isn’t just her talent, but her ability to elevate her entire team.
However, as many insiders have noted, basketball is a team sport, and leverage depends on collective performance. If Clark were to suffer an injury, for instance, the entire players’ movement could lose negotiating power. Numbers show that viewership and merchandise sales are disproportionately tied to her presence, which presents both a unique opportunity and a vulnerability.
A Final Word
We’re not against the WNBA players’ efforts. In fact, we support their right to collectively bargain within a private business. But history offers cautionary tales: just look at Major League Baseball, which took years to recover from its infamous strike.
The players must remain strategic. Their strength lies in unity, performance, and market value — not politics or moral outrage. If they push too far, the very league they seek to strengthen could falter.
We’ll be watching closely as this unfolds.
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