NEW YORK -- Kelsey Plum, the first vice president of the WNBPA, has weighed in on the ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between the players' union and the WNBA, expressing a nuanced perspective on the progress made. Speaking at an Unrivaled shootaround in Brooklyn, Plum stated her belief that the current offer from the WNBA, which includes a revenue-sharing system for the first time, constitutes a "significant win" for the players. While emphasizing the importance of continued negotiation, she strongly cautioned against a strike, deeming it "the worst thing for both sides" given the league's revenue-sharing model.

The WNBPA and the WNBA have been engaged in discussions for a new CBA for nearly 17 months, ever since the players' union opted out of the previous agreement. A central point of contention in these protracted negotiations has been the structure of revenue sharing. The WNBPA has consistently advocated for a system that would grant players 30% of the league's gross revenue, which is the total income before any expenses are deducted. In contrast, the league has put forward an offer where players would receive 70% of net revenue, meaning after all expenses have been accounted for. This latter proposal, according to the players' union, translates to less than 15% of gross revenue, a figure they have "bristled at." The WNBA, on its part, has labeled the WNBPA's proposals "unrealistic," asserting that they would lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for the league.

Despite the substantial gap between the two sides' proposals, Plum highlighted the groundbreaking nature of the league's agreement to implement any form of revenue sharing. She underscored that securing a system where players' salaries are directly tied to the growth of both league and team revenue is something the WNBPA "fought really hard for" and represents a "tremendous win" compared to the past. Plum suggested that the union could still effectively negotiate the specifics, particularly concerning the expense credits the league would receive, without resorting to drastic measures like a strike. "You can continue to negotiate without striking," she asserted, reinforcing her view that players want to play.

The specter of a strike has loomed over the negotiations, especially since December when the WNBPA player body authorized its seven-player executive committee, which includes Plum, to call for a strike "when necessary." However, Plum's recent comments indicate a preference for resolution through negotiation. She articulated that a strike would be mutually detrimental, stating, "no revenue, no revenue to share," directly referencing the financial dependency within a revenue-sharing framework. With the WNBA regular season fast approaching, scheduled to commence on May 8, the urgency for a resolution is palpable. The league has set a target date of March 10 for a term sheet to be completed, warning that failure to meet this deadline could impact the season schedule.

Plum concluded by emphasizing her philosophical approach to the negotiations: "I've always been someone that's focused on the gain, not the gap." While acknowledging that the union is "not just settling" and will continue to push for better terms, she expressed immense pride in contributing to the evolution of women's sports through these efforts. Her remarks signal a strategic outlook that seeks to build upon the significant progress already achieved in establishing a revenue-sharing model, while steadfastly advocating for the players' interests through ongoing dialogue rather than industrial action.