Unprecedented Move: WNBA Players Potentially Receiving a Cut of Expansion Fees
WNBA Players Push for a Share of Expansion Fees in Upcoming CBA Negotiations
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is currently experiencing significant growth, with increased TV ratings, attendance, sponsorships, revenue, and franchise values. This growth mirrors that of the Major League Soccer (MLS), which has expanded to 30 teams, with San Diego being the latest addition.
However, unlike other major sports leagues, the WNBA does not currently share expansion fees with its players. The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) is pushing for a share of the $250 million expansion fees that new franchise owners have paid, arguing that as players are integral to the league’s growth, they deserve a cut of these significant new revenues.
The WNBPA views the league’s historic expansion as a clear sign of growing business success that should translate into fair compensation and revenue sharing for the players. This demand for a portion of expansion fees reflects a broader issue: players want the CBA to more accurately reflect their true value and contributions to the league’s development, including improved salaries, working conditions, and a fairer share of the business built through their efforts.
Comparatively, in other major sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, it is more common for players to receive a share of expansion fees or related revenue from league growth. These established leagues typically include such provisions in their CBAs to ensure players benefit from the financial gains that come from new teams joining the league.
The WNBA, which was launched as a single-entity structure but has transitioned toward traditional structures of individually owned teams, historically has had less autonomy and less revenue-sharing from business activity because the NBA owns a majority stake (60%) and controls key league rights such as broadcasting.
In summary, the WNBA players’ push is about catching up to accepted standards for player compensation linked to league growth seen in other major professional sports leagues. The WNBPA is negotiating for a share of expansion fees and an increase in player revenue share in the CBA to better reflect the players' contributions to the league’s development.
During a recent meeting in Indianapolis, more than 40 players attended a meeting between the WNBPA and the league to discuss these issues. The negotiations are ongoing, and the WNBPA has reiterated its commitment to achieving a transformational CBA through negotiations.
| Aspect | WNBA (Current Situation) | Other Major Leagues (NBA, NFL, MLB) | |-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | Expansion Fees | $250M per new team; players currently not guaranteed a share; WNBPA demanding revenue split[1][2][3] | Players typically get a negotiated share of expansion-related revenues | | Player Revenue Share in CBA | Under negotiation; WNBPA pushing for increases linked to league expansion and growth[3][4] | Generally established to include expansion fees and revenue growth shares | | League Autonomy | NBA owns 60%, limiting WNBA's business and broadcast control[1] | Fully autonomous leagues with separate revenue sharing agreements |
[1] ESPN [2] The Athletic [3] The New York Times [4] Sports Illustrated
- The WNBPA is engaging in labor negotiations with the WNBA, requesting a share of the $250 million expansion fees that new franchise owners have paid, as they believe their integral role in the league's growth warrants a cut of these new revenues.
- In contrast to the WNBA, other major sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB generally share expansion fees or related revenue from league growth with their players, by including such provisions in their Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) to ensure players benefit from the financial gains that come from new teams joining the league.
- As part of these ongoing negotiations, the WNBPA has also been advocating for an increase in the player revenue share in the CBA to better reflect the players' contributions to the league’s development, including improved salaries, working conditions, and fairer sharing of the business built through their efforts.
