Frustration is boiling over in the WNBA, and Paige Bueckers is done staying quiet about the stalled CBA negotiation. The WNBA is enjoying a golden era of growth, but according to stars like Paige Bueckers, the league’s refusal to budge in negotiations threatens to tarnish the entire enterprise.

Paige Bueckers is part of the dawn of a new era in women’s basketball that has aided the WNBA’s rapid growth. Currently playing Unrivaled basketball in the offseason, the 24-year-old highlighted that the results of the discussions so far have been more of an impasse rather than a negotiation. Bueckers has joined a growing chorus of players frustrated that the league won’t meet them halfway on a critical issue: revenue sharing.

Talking to the press, Paige Bueckers said,” At this point, it’s not really a negotiation. Both sides aren’t moving. So I feel like we need to continue to have these conversations, continue to actually have change implemented for us to move. We as players, we don’t want a strike. We want to have a season. I love playing basketball. That’s all I want to do. But again, there are things that need to be handled.”

The WNBA and the WNBPA don’t see eye-to-eye in revenue sharing, primarily. While the players’ union suggested a 30% share of gross revenue, the governing body is favoring a portion of the net revenue, which ultimately comes to around 15% of total revenue.

And although everyone recognizes the players’ contributions to the rising popularity of the sport, the WNBA needs to become a self-sustaining model, as per the governing body. According to the governing body, its revenue-sharing terms ensure teams and the league don’t incur losses while also providing players a fair share of the revenue.

Recently, players have come out highlighting the need to sort the CBA terms quickly after the WNBPA announced a fresh March 10 deadline. Kelsey Plum also pointed out that the players are not keen on a strike and just want to get back to focusing on basketball as soon as possible.

Finding Middle Ground Before It’s Too Late

After the players’ union submitted its latest proposal, the WNBA responded with a counteroffer on March 1. The fresh proposal includes accelerated eligibility for max contracts for rookies and new players, while also increasing the salary cap again, allowing $5.75 million. Projections suggest the figure could rise up to $8.5 million by 2031.

The new terms show the league’s willingness to clarify core designation provisions. But the issue at large remains revenue sharing. The new WNBA CBA proposal will probably see players earn a minimum salary of over 230,000, which is a tremendous improvement compared to the prior CBA. According to the expired CBA resolution, players could earn a maximum salary of around 250,000 only before.

However, players remain determined to get better revenue-sharing terms, with the league currently offering half of the players’ suggested share. WNBPA vice president Kelsey Plum reiterated the same points, stating that while the players want to play, they will continue negotiations while being mindful that a strike will harm both parties in a revenue-sharing model.

“Obviously, a strike would be the worst thing for both sides, because we are in a [revenue sharing system], so no revenue, no revenue to share,” said Plum.

Paige Bueckers and Kelsey Plum, two prominent names in the WNBA, have now come out individually to state that the players are not in favor of a strike. This comes after rumors spread of key members of the players’ union having differing opinions about a strike, especially after the fresh deadline. How soon do you think a middle ground will be reached?