Story By: Erin Zollars
File Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
After an epic season for the Washington Mystics and some of the best talent in one building over a two week period, its easy to say these women deserve more on the court and better style of living off the court. Today they got just that with a brand new collective bargaining agreement that will have some of the top players making $215k a year plus incentives.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert saw this as huge step in the advancement of the league and where women’s professional sports such as the WNBA need to be to grow in the future.
After the agreement was set, Monumental Sports and Entertainment President and Mystics majority Owner, Ted Leonsis commented on the agreement. “This new CBA is a fantastic accomplishment for our new Commissioner—Labor, peace, partnership & mutual prosperity,” he wrote.
Commissioner Engelbert also announced new investments and partnerships with “WNBA Changemakers” AT&T, Deloitte, and Nike to sponsor the league changes.
“We approached these negotiations with a player-first agenda, and I am pleased that this agreement guarantees substantial increases in compensation and progressive benefits for the women of the WNBA,” Engelbert said in a statement.
Some of the key benefits of the new agreement include the following below.
Marketing: A $1.6 million deal of offseason league and team marketing agreement designed to further generate additional viewership and compensation.
New Competitions: Beginning in 2021, there will be new in-season competitions the WNBA has not held before. It will include a minimum of $750,000 prize money.
Revenue Sharing: To begin in 2021, the WNBA will feature 50-50 revenue sharing in broadcast agreements, licensing deals and sponsorships.
Travel: An increase in premium seat selection for in-season air travel.
Resources: Improved and newly implemented mental health resources and benefits to go along with domestic violence resources, counseling and education.
Motherhood and Family Planning: Players will receive full salary while on maternity leave, which had never been the case before. All mothers will also receive a $5,000 annual stipend for childcare to go along with new and improved workplace accommodations.
Free Agency: Unrestricted free agency is available one year earlier than it was with the previous CBA.
