The WNBA’s growth has been quite exponential in the last few years. With the rise of stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, the league has witnessed some handsome amounts of investments coming in. However, one major point of concern has been the athlete’s pay. With icons like Reese sending a bold message to the WNBA, things have been getting quite complicated. Interestingly, a recent statement from WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman feels quite contrasting to how the likes of Clark and Reese have been protesting.
Back at the All-Star game, Indianapolis was buzzing. With Team Collier taking on Team Clark, the anticipation regarding the game was sky-high. However, as the players walked out, the fans were completely taken aback. Wearing black t-shirts, the WNBA athletes had the phrases ‘Pay Us What You Owe Us,’ written. And this is something that Lieberman does not approve of.
Nancy Lieberman Criticizes Caitlin Clark And Angel Reese’s All-Star Protest
Lieberman recently made an appearance on the TFU Podcast panel. Speaking about the CBA negotiations, the ‘Lady Magic’ clarified that she could not align herself with the manner in which Clark and co. chose to protest. The WNBA legend stated that she will not protest with the t-shirt and the phrase because nobody owes the athletes anything. Instead, they must work towards earning the same.
“So, all I’m going to say is how we negotiate. I would not negotiate with the t-shirt that says, ‘Pay us what you owe us.’ Because in the big picture, nobody owes us anything. We’re going to keep working towards that,” Lieberman said.
However, having said that, Lieberman is pretty much in favor of the fight that the ‘W’ players are fighting. Hailing the athletes, Lieberman addressed them as “incredible gatekeepers of the game.” Meanwhile, with the CBA deadline approaching, there are rising concerns about the negotiations remaining at a stalemate.
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CBA Future Hangs In Balance While WNBA Stars Contradict Nancy Lieberman
Nancy Lieberman might feel that nobody owes the athletes anything. But according to Napheesa Collier’s words, “money that’s made through the WNBA, which obviously is through our entertainment.” And this quest has been supported by most of the athletes. Big names like Breanna Stewart are leading WNBA stars in the bold CBA fight.
Meanwhile, with the CBA deadline of October 31 approaching fast, hopes for a fruitful conclusion are fading. In a recent statement, the WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson told Front Office Sports, “The players are working diligently to achieve a transformational CBA that builds on the growth, momentum, and positive news surrounding women’s sports and the W. As we approach the 60-day mark, the league’s lack of urgency leaves players wondering if it is focused on making this work or just running out the clock. Fans do not want that. They are with the players in demanding a new standard for the W.”
Surely, the situation is looking quite grim at the moment. With the players asking for a 50% share of the revenue, they are currently getting only 9%. Thus, with things turning complicated, fans will now wait to see how things turn out.