WNBA players withdraw from ABC, can start trading sooner

The WNBA Players' Association has informed the league that it will withdraw from the current collective agreement, in accordance with a provision.

The CBA was signed in March 2014 and lasted the entire 2021 season. Unsubscription will not affect the 2019 season, but this means that the union and the league will have to negotiate a new collective agreement before the 2020 season, which is also an Olympic year.

The players, many of whom are part of their teams abroad, voted through an open online voting process from October 14th to 21st. An ABC committee made up of WNBA players investigated whether the withdrawal was the best option. teleconferences and two meetings in person.

"We look forward to our upcoming discussions and the negotiation of a new agreement with the league," the union said in a statement.

WNBA Executive Chair Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks wrote an article for The Players & Tribune explaining the players' positions. In particular, she wrote that she wanted young female athletes to grow up dreaming of "the league I know we can become." A league with a fair and consistent work environment. players like world-class athletes, they are a league that invests in its future, a league that believes in us as much as we believe in it. "

"The league and its teams have engaged in open, good faith bargaining rooted in the financial realities of our business," NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said in a statement. "We immediately get down to business and are convinced that such a process can lead to a fair deal for all concerned."

"I had the opportunity to talk to [Ogwumike] a number of times, and she's not only a fantastic player, but she's also terrific in what she's doing for the WNBA players, "said National Basketball Players Association President Chris Paul. because I'm a big fan of the WNBA. "

The information provided by Ian Begley of ESPN has been included in this report.