Plum, Stewart Sound Alarm on WNBPA’s CBA Strategy

On Monday, Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart, both members of the WNBPA executive committee, dispatched a three-page missive to Terri Jackson, the executive director of the players’ union. This communication articulated “profound apprehensions regarding the PA’s conduct of the ongoing negotiations” for a fresh collective bargaining agreement, specifically citing “the insufficient engagement of players throughout the proceedings.”

In the confidential correspondence directed to Jackson, which was acquired by ESPN on Tuesday, Plum—who serves as the union’s first vice president—and Stewart—a vice president herself—demanded “an altered dynamic between our PA administrators and the players.” They further asserted, “we do not perceive having an adequate presence at the decision-making table in these discussions.”

To address this letter and other pertinent issues, the union convened an all-player assembly on Tuesday evening. The union chose not to comment when contacted by ESPN.

Sources indicated that Jackson had disseminated the letter to the executive committee earlier on Tuesday. It remains unclear whether the remaining seven members of the executive committee concur with Plum and Stewart’s sentiments concerning WNBPA leadership, or if they received prior notification before the letter’s dispatch. Some members, according to sources, have expressed satisfaction with the union’s management of the negotiations.

This letter was sent almost a week ahead of the March 10 deadline the league set for the WNBPA last month to finalize a term sheet for a new CBA. The 2026 regular season is slated to commence on May 8, but prior to that, the league must conduct a college draft (presently scheduled for April 13), an expansion draft involving two teams, and free agency for over 100 players.

The letter commences with Plum and Stewart conveying “immense appreciation” for Jackson’s leadership of the Players Association over the past decade and acknowledging the achievements she has garnered during that period. They added their conviction that she prioritizes the best interests of the players.

“Nonetheless, we are disheartened that more substantial headway has not been achieved as we approach the March 10 cut-off date,” Stewart and Plum continued, “and we attribute this to a breakdown in communication between yourself and both the Executive Committee and players more broadly.”

The WNBPA terminated the previous CBA nearly 17 months ago, in October 2024, with negotiations intensifying particularly over the last eight months.

However, Stewart and Plum contend that they have only been “privy to the particulars of these discussions for less than two months, having first reviewed a proposal in January,” and that despite “repeatedly” soliciting information from PA staff, they have yet to acquire it.

“Despite a year and a half of deliberations, we have not been meaningfully involved,” the letter asserted.

Examples of the requested information include: a comprehensive breakdown of the WNBA’s expenditures and income “to the best of our current understanding”; a comparative evaluation of potential losses players might encounter in a postponed or strike-affected season versus the prospective benefits gained through a new CBA secured via ongoing negotiations; aggregated outcomes from a recent PA survey gauging players’ perspectives on the league’s latest proposition; a clear elucidation of how rookie wages will be structured and how they will escalate throughout a rookie contract; data regarding disbursements from OneTeam Partners; and a precise definition of the EC’s roles and duties.

“As we comprehend it, the Executive Committee’s function is to assist in formulating the overarching objectives and priorities of the CBA and to act as a liaison between your negotiating squad and the wider membership—ultimately helping to secure player endorsement of any forthcoming agreement,” they penned. “Without access to the aforementioned requested data, the Executive Committee is unable to fulfill this role, and players cannot reasonably be expected to participate effectively in a process from which they have largely been excluded.”

Stewart and Plum asked for a meeting of the executive committee within 24 hours to review the requested details, which subsequently evolved into the all-player gathering.

The duo additionally conveyed their vexations regarding how their concerns have been perceived by the PA.

“When we, along with other players, have sought to voice concerns about negotiations, we have been made to feel as though we are operating against the PA’s best interests,” the letter declared. “Many other athletes across the league share these identical frustrations and have communicated them to us, but feel intimidated or unable to speak publicly.”

Plum and Stewart asserted that this dynamic between PA administrators and players “has begun to foster needless disunity at a juncture where a unified front and an informed player base are crucial for achieving maximal leverage.”

ESPN previously disclosed that a vigorous debate has occurred within the executive committee in recent months concerning the appropriate path forward in negotiations, with a divergence in willingness to either engage in a holdout or accept a deal more aligned with the league’s most recent offer. During a player conference call last week, a source informed ESPN that over half of player leadership reaffirmed their desire to keep the option of a strike open. The WNBPA player body granted authorization to the executive committee in December to initiate a strike “if deemed necessary.”

Last week, ESPN reported that players will receive profit-sharing disbursements for the inaugural time in league history, and furthermore, the union will distribute an additional $9.25 million to players from licensing income generated since 2020 through jersey sales, collectible cards, video games, and other merchandise.

“When we, along with other players, have sought to voice concerns about negotiations, we have been made to feel as though we are operating against the PA’s best interests. Many other athletes across the league share these identical frustrations and have communicated them to us, but feel intimidated or unable to speak publicly.”

excerpt of letter sent by WNBPA executive committee members Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart to executive director Terri Jackson

On Monday, preceding the Unrivaled semifinals, Plum informed reporters that while the players’ union ought to persist in negotiating a new CBA, she believes the proposal the WNBPA has received from the WNBA thus far signifies a “considerable triumph” with its revenue-sharing component, and that “a strike would be the direst outcome for both factions.” Stewart subsequently affirmed her agreement with this perspective.

The two reiterated these convictions in the letter, stating they are “apprehensive about the repercussions that a stalemate or work stoppage could have on the league’s overall financial well-being” and hold the view that it is opportune to commence negotiations based on the league’s proposals pertaining to revenue sharing.

Both athletes explicitly stated during Monday’s media availability that further negotiation is imperative—the players expressed in the letter their wish for the league to “scrutinize its expenditures and pinpoint significant avenues to diminish the extent to which those costs are borne by players at both the team and especially league levels.”

Other priorities they enumerated include reaching an accord on a salary cap “that, by expanding with revenue, facilitates sustainable roster construction where maximum-earning players are not compelled to accept reductions to ensure a robust middle tier,” a guaranteed housing framework for all players, the elimination of the core rule, and substantial benefits for retired athletes.

“We need to commence acting with pragmatism in these discussions and in the manner decisions are being formulated,” the letter conveyed.

Last week, nearly a dozen player agents dispatched a letter to Jackson conveying “our collective preference for openness and coordinated dialogue” moving forward in negotiations and for the opportunity to examine the league’s current proposition.