Nneka Ogwumike Criticizes WNBA For Arriving Unprepared To CBA Meeting As Negotiations Stall

Just as when fans expected to see the end of the CBA discussion, the all-important Monday meeting went without any constructive steps. Napheesa Collier called it ‘a waste of opportunity, while Breanna Stewart also opened up on the current state of WNBA-CBA Negotiations as the clock keeps ticking. WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike was present at the meeting and gave her opinion on the same.

With 40+ players joining via Zoom meeting and many other attending the meeting in New York, the league’s opening statement takes all the energy out of the meeting. The Storm forward was also disappointed.

Nneka Ogwumike Slams WNBA

Since the last extension expiration, the WNBA had nearly a month to refine its proposal. The WNBPA also handed them non-negotiable points in the discussion. But the league representatives came unprepared for the meeting, which still lasted for three hours.

While Ogwumike pulled back the curtain on intense CBA talks, revealing what players really want, she criticized the league’s approach in the discussions.

“They volunteered that they did not have a proposal prepared at the top of the meeting. That kind of set the tone for the conversation because we were hoping to hear otherwise.” Ogwumike told Front Office Sports.

Nneka Ogwimike expressed disappointment over the WNBA's lack of preparation for Monday's in-person CBA meeting. The WNBPA had hoped the league would have a proposal ready to discuss.

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The Monday discussions were important considering the time left for the start of the season. But WNBA’s approach not only shocked players, but fans were also angry about the ‘lack of seriousness’ from the league’s end.

Another allegation over the CBA discussions was the treatment from the league, where many players, including Ogwumike, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart, feel that the league is taking the players lightly.

Nneka Ogwumike Talks About ‘Valuing’ Players

The key aspect of the CBA discussions is its commercial terms, which are highly important for the WNBPA. While the league is experiencing a massive surge in its income, the players also want to get a share for their ‘efforts’.  

“I don’t think that anything we do ever feels casual, but we feel like the moment is there — we feel like we’re in that historical moment. And this is certainly one of those situations. I’m very grateful to even be a part of the league and the growth that we’re experiencing today. And to be able to negotiate my value in something that is increasing in valuation is phenomenal, especially being a small part of the framework and the foundation that makes it what it is today — and what it can be beyond,” Ogwumike told the media.

The league has been working hard to match the commercial terms of the WNBPA’s demands. They already projected losses in their response, but the WNBPA rejected the claim.