The WNBPA is standing firm on its demands as the CBA negotiations reach an impasse. The league and the players’ association have been in discussions over multiple demands, where most of the demands have already been streamlined. However, the league’s stance on the profit share is a bigger ‘deal breaker’ than expected.
NBA’s Adam Silver showed confidence in the possible solution before the deadline. However, his recent statement showed inconsistency, as the WNBPA reacted to it on social media.
WNBA Players’ Association Shocked By Adam Silver’s Stance
The NBA Commissioner remained on the players’ side, as he was optimistic about finding solutions to the players’ demands well before the CBA deadline – October 31. Recently, he was on the ‘Today’s Show’ where he once again addressed the CBA situation. But when the interviewer asked him about the possibility of ‘increased profit shares’, his answer was not straightforward.
“I think share isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA. I think you should look at absolute numbers in terms of what they are making. They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining, and they deserve it,” Silver said.
Even though the 63-year-old executive mentioned that players deserve a raise, he didn’t directly ask for more profit share, which irked the players’ association, who reacted negatively to his comment with a question, “Don’t want to share, @adamsilvernba?”
Latest IG story from the WNBPA on NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s remarks this morning pic.twitter.com/zI9CDdEHI3
— christan (no i), ß (@ChristanWNBA) October 21, 2025
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NBA players receive 50% of the profit share from the league, while WNBA players receive around 9%, which is the lowest percentage among all American professional sports leagues. While the WNBA is showing a massive rise in popularity, this discrepancy feels unjust towards the players.
Recently, in an interview with TMZ, the reigning WNBA champion Jackie Young made bold comments advocating for fair pay and a revenue share amid WNBA CBA negotiations. Kelsey Plum also attempted to clarify any misunderstanding regarding the concept.
Kelsey Plum Simplifies WNBA Profit Sharing Concept
The ambiguity lies with the salaries and profit shares. The player salary remains constant, while the profit share varies as per league growth. In some cases, the profit share value could even exceed the player’s salary, allowing the player to benefit from being part of the growing league. Former vice president of WNBPA, Kelsey Plum, cleared this ‘misconception’ that the WNBA players want NBA-type pay.
“We’re not asking to get paid what the men get paid. We’re asking to get paid the same percentage of revenue shared. In the NBA, they have percentages of revenue shared for the players — so, jersey sales, obviously, their TV contracts. But that’s because their CBA negotiates, where the owners are making certain types of money, [the players] get that as well. In the WNBA, that’s not the case,” Plum said in the Residency Podcast.
Ironically, the demands are not from 2024, the year when the league signed massive broadcast deals and sponsorship deals. However, the players have been seeking their ‘fair’ share since the 2022 season, when the league was still experiencing gradual growth.