No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show

Episode: Will the WNBA and Players’ Union Reach an Agreement In Time?

Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Zena Keita, Sabrina Merchant, Ben Pickman
Featured Guest: Aaron Drake, Senior Advisor and Legal Counsel, WNBPA

Episode Overview

This episode of No Offseason provides an in-depth look at the critical stage of the WNBA and Players’ Association (WNBPA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, with a rapidly approaching deadline on October 31st, 2025. The hosts dissect the current sticking points between the league and its players, notably around revenue sharing, and explore the stakes for free agency, salary structure, and the potential for a work stoppage. The episode features a candid interview with Aaron Drake, a leading legal advisor for the players’ union, who unpacks the complexities, frustrations, and hopes for reaching a transformative agreement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context & What’s at Stake

• Deadline Pressure: The current CBA is set to expire October 31st, 2025. Negotiations are at a critical moment, with no deal in sight. The risk of extension, work stoppage, or lockout looms (02:22).
• Impact on Free Agency: The uncertainty impacts free agency—no new signings or official talks can proceed until a new agreement is in place (17:48).

2. Recent Coaching Moves in the WNBA

• Jose Fernandez Hired by the Dallas Wings: Discussion on Fernandez’s transition from USF and what he brings to Dallas and Paige Bueckers (03:38–10:31).
  • “It is interesting to take a chance on someone who is unproven at the professional level with a generational player.” — Sabrina Merchant (07:58)
  • Respect for his leadership in college, success with international player recruitment, and the importance of assembling a strong WNBA-savvy staff.
• Sonya Ramon Joins Seattle Storm as Head Coach: Her unconventional path (from MIT head coach to NBA to WNBA assistant and now to a head coaching role) is celebrated (12:06–17:48).
  • “She is someone who has a lot of respect around the WNBA despite having only been in the league for just one season.” — Ben Pickman (12:06)
  • Discussion includes her strengths in player development and adaptability to a roster likely led by Dominique Malanga.

3. CBA Negotiations Explained

• Why Did Players Opt Out?:
  • Players saw the booming growth of the WNBA and wanted to renegotiate for a direct share in new revenues, having originally secured important quality-of-life benefits like maternity protections and travel upgrades in 2020 (19:07–21:01).
  • “They are seeking not just to maintain status quo…but to revise the systems…specifically, we should be talking about the revenue sharing and salary structure frameworks.” — Ben Pickman (19:07)
• Revenue Sharing: The Central Sticking Point
  • The WNBA proposal maintains a base revenue target; only money above that threshold is shared, whereas players want a “whole pie” approach—a percentage cut of all league revenue, similar to the NBA CBA (21:01–23:24).
  • “Players have said they can’t foresee themselves agreeing to a new deal that doesn’t increase player compensation and include a new revenue sharing system.” — Ben Pickman (24:45)
  • The “pie” analogy is used throughout for clarity: Players want a slice of every pie brought to the table, not just leftover slices.
• Contention and Public Disputes
  • Players and union representatives have publicly accused league leadership, notably commissioner Kathy Englebert, of bad faith and unfair proposals. Players protested at All-Star by wearing “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts (24:45).

4. What Happens If There’s No Agreement?

• Possible Outcomes by/after October 31:
  • Extension: Both sides extend current terms to allow more time to negotiate, as happened in the past.
  • Lapsed CBA with Continued Talks: No games are imminent; negotiations can technically continue without an active CBA.
  • Lockout/Work Stoppage: League could bar player access to facilities and halt all basketball operations, amping up pressure (27:48–29:21).
• Importance of Public and Player Engagement:
  • The union stresses ongoing player education about the seriousness and risks of work stoppage, strikes, or lockouts (50:00).

In-Depth Interview: Aaron Drake (WNBPA Legal Counsel)

[32:08–61:59]

Role & Perspective

• Aaron Drake’s Function: Legal and strategic advisor for the players; focuses on both standard labor issues and the unique legal/advocacy needs of a women’s pro sports league (33:36).
• Current Work: Coordinating player engagement, preparing contingency plans, and drawing lessons from other labor movements for leverage.

How We Got Here:

• Historic Disparity in Women’s Sports: Drake notes ongoing tension between league’s wish to retain older models and the new reality of the league’s booming value and visibility (37:09).
  • “We are trying to negotiate a CBA that matches [the current moment]. It feels quite misfitted to try to shoehorn…old ways into what…is a new era.” — Aaron Drake (37:09)

Sticking Points:

• Definition of “Share”:
  • Drake refutes recent statements by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, insisting revenue “share” is not charity but a standard for mature leagues (42:46).
  • “It’s not sharing because it’s a nice thing to do. But it’s sharing because it has been earned...Without the players, there is truly no product. They are the product.” — Aaron Drake (42:46)
• League’s Proposal vs. Player Demand:
  • The league claims to offer revenue-linked pay with no cap on upside; Drake contends this model still keeps most value with ownership and is not on par with male leagues (59:50).

External Lessons & Organizing

• WNBPA draws inspiration from SAG strikes, Broadway unions, labor history, and AFL-CIO; change is presented as communal, not isolated (45:31).
  • “This type of change necessitates community. This type of change necessitates a collective mindset…We aren’t the only ones in a contract negotiation.” — Aaron Drake (45:31)

Player Engagement & Work Stoppage Prep

• Player involvement is higher than ever; education around the mechanics and gravity of labor actions is ongoing and candid (50:00–57:24).
  • “Labor peace is where we want to be, but we’re not going to get there by being taken advantage of.” — Aaron Drake (52:03)

Extension vs. No Extension: Weighing Options

• Certainty versus delay: An extension “cements reality” and gives both sides time, but does not move the players toward the compensation change they seek (55:12).

Closing Thoughts

• Drake reiterates that the union’s demand is not just about negotiation tactics but about transforming the league to meet new realities. She stresses transparency, continued resolve, and a willingness to fight for fundamental economic fairness (61:33).
  • “The kind of change that we’re talking about is not change that we need marketing for. It’s…proof is in the pudding. And we are working hard to help them appreciate that.” — Aaron Drake (61:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Historic Moment:
  “It has been difficult to find the beat, to find the rhythm and to find the same sense of urgency, just to be frank, to get this done.” — Aaron Drake (37:09)

• On the Essence of “Share”:
  “It’s sharing because it has been earned. And without the players, there is truly no product.” — Aaron Drake (42:46)

• On the League’s Public Statements:
  “That could have been said about the current model that we have in the CBA...when it’s also not the sports industry standard, when it’s also something that is told to a group of women who are trying to attain that industry standard.” — Aaron Drake (59:50)

• On Collective Action:
  “Change is difficult and change is very challenging, particularly when it might be happening in a way that you didn’t predict or in a way that you can’t control.” — Aaron Drake (39:05)

Key Timestamps for Reference

• CBA Deadline Context & Stakes: [02:22]
• Dallas Wings Coaching Hire (Jose Fernandez): [03:38–10:31]
• Seattle Storm Hire (Sonya Ramon): [12:06–17:48]
• Explanation of CBA History & Players’ Demands: [19:07–23:24]
• Revenue Pie Analogy & Salary Discussion: [23:24–24:45]
• Work Stoppage and Negotiation Scenarios: [27:48–29:21]
• Aaron Drake Interview Begins: [32:08]
• On Revenue Sharing vs. Current Model: [42:46]
• On Legal/Labor Organizing Lessons: [45:31]
• Player Engagement and Work Stoppage Prep: [50:00]
• On Extensions and Negotiation Endgames: [53:56, 55:12]
• Drake Comments on League Proposal: [59:50]

Tone and Style

The discussion is frank, occasionally humorous (see: recurring pie and Halloween metaphors), but always direct and urgent. The hosts and guest share a collective sense of gravity about the possible consequences for league, players, and fans.

Summary for New Listeners

If you haven’t followed the day-to-day drama of the WNBA’s current labor negotiations, this episode covers the historical context, the present frustrations, and the very real crossroads facing women’s pro basketball before the start of free agency and a new season. The foundational issue is whether players will finally get a direct cut of rising league revenues, or whether owners will stick to a model that keeps them in control. With the October 31 deadline fast approaching and neither side yielding, the players—led by an informed, organized union—stand ready to escalate if their demands for fairness and future-aligned compensation are not met.