WNBA and WNBPA are working closely to find a solution to the CBA standoff. WNBPA gave players’ demands, while the league also shared its new proposal within the first two days of the extension.
With high commercial values, many expected the players’ association to provide some positive feedback on the proposal. Still, things didn’t pan out well, as Nneka Ogwumike took the initiative and gave an honest opinion on the proposal.
She wasn’t just unhappy with the offers and terms; however, the WNBA President also clearly expressed her frustration with the league’s attempts to find middle ground.
Nneka Ogwumike Criticizes WNBA’s New Proposal
The New CBA includes a guaranteed $1 million salary for the top players. In addition, they will receive $ 200K as part of revenue sharing. The league also tried to increase the revenue sharing percentage and even the Salary cap for the franchises. But nothing is as per WNBPA’s expectations.
“I don’t feel like there’s any cultivation of a culture of trust. We don’t feel valued in these talks as they stand today. … I feel like we’ve been heard, but not listened to. And I’m hoping that that changes in this 40-day extension, because what we want to do is get a good deal done,” Ogwumike said.
Nneka Ogwumike spoke about the climate around WNBA CBA negotiations 🗣️
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The use of words, ‘culture of trust, don’t feel valued and not listened to are some hardcore phrases that indicate the clear intention to reject the proposal and also the players’ views towards Cathy Engelbert and her team.
Sadly, this is not the first time the Seattle Storm forward spoke negatively about the league and its intentions. During the first extension period, she opened up on the topic in detail.
Nneka Ogwumike’s Early Warning To WNBA
When the CBA talks were going on in November, the first extension period, the former champion signed a deal with Project B. She became the first significant signing of the new 5-on-5 league. While many criticized Ogwumike for singing with Project B, she spoke about the WNBA’s actions on their demands.
“Two weeks ago, the league offered an extension, but at the time, we felt the circumstances necessary for our agreement to an extension weren’t quite met. But in the last few days, we felt the negotiations had evolved… to continue on in good faith with these negotiations, with an agreement of an extension, albeit we wanted to maintain the urgency to reach what we want and know that it will be a transformational CBA,” Ogwumike said.
This seems like a ‘mild warning’ to the league for the better CBA terms. But Ogwumike’s recent comments are certainly harsh and a possible eye-opener for the authorities in the league.