Despite agreeing to a deal in principle, the 2003 WNBA season is still in danger of not being played because of stalled labor negotiations.
Last week, the NBA Board of Governors declared that if a new bargaining agreement was not signed by April 18, then the seventh season of the league would not be played.
No papers were officially signed on the deadline day, but an agreement in principle was made on a new labor deal between the players’ union and the league. The players’ union voted 56 percent to 44 percent to accept the league’s offer. An official agreement will not be signed until all ratifications and negotiations are worked out. Officials hope the new deal will be in place as soon as today.
“No matter what, this league is better than no league,” said Minnesota Lynx guard and former Ohio State All-American Katie Smith. “Both sides have room to give a little bit, and I imagine that a deal will be made. As players, we really have no leverage to work with.”
The season is scheduled to get underway on May 22, although the WNBA had to cancel a predraft tryout, along with its rookie draft.
The former bargaining agreement expired in September, and talks for a new deal have been under way since November. The dispute has included salary increases and salary caps for teams, along with free agency issues.
“There is more to it than just salary issues. Our entire contract is in question, from free agency to endorsements,” said former University of Connecticut and current Lynx player Tamika Williams.
According to Smith, the players want more freedom to make money from endorsements of sponsors that are not associated with the league. They also want more flexibility with free agency.
“Basically, you are stuck wherever the league puts you to play, with no ability to negotiate your contract with your team,” Smith said. “People are also missing out on opportunities to make money from other endorsements.”
The NBA has offered a $12 million subsidy to help the league stay in business. Team owners of the WNBA franchise are not making a profit off of their teams, and two teams were forced to fold due to the league’s financial struggles. Miami and Portland folded, while Utah and Orlando had to relocate to San Antonio and Uncasville, Conn., respectively.
Buckeye senior forward Courtney Coleman, who was expected to be selected in this year’s WNBA draft, is not worried about her future or the future of the league.
“I am a college student right now, and any money they give me to play professional basketball will be great,” Coleman said. “No matter what, I will finish my degree and look at the opportunity to play professionally overseas. I’m sure some kind of agreement will be made, but it is out of my control. I am just preparing every day as if I might have to leave tomorrow.”
