Podcast Summary: Welcome to the Party – "Inside the WNBA’s High Stakes Negotiations with Madame President Nneka Ogwumike"

Date: December 16, 2025
Host(s): Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, Billie Jean King (regular)
Guest: Nneka Ogwumike (WNBA superstar, president of the WNBPA)

Episode Overview

This episode goes behind the scenes of the WNBA’s intense collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations with Nneka Ogwumike, star player and president of the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA). The conversation covers the high stakes and emotions around the CBA talks, the emergence of the groundbreaking “Project B” global women’s basketball league, and the evolving landscape of equity in women’s sports. The hosts also continue their signature blend of candid camaraderie, sports news, and pop culture fun.

Key Topics & Insights

1. State of the WNBA CBA Negotiations

Starts at 31:21

• Background: The current CBA extension expires on Jan 9, 2026. There are now two new expansion teams (Portland and Toronto), and continued delays in the draft because of negotiations (27:12).
• Vibe Check:
  • Nneka rates the mood of negotiations as “six and a half” out of ten, noting:

    “This is my third time around doing it, and I can recognize patterns and differences. The six and a half isn't that we’re going to get it done in ‘three and a half vibes,’ it's that we're in new territory…[but] we’re more than halfway confident.” — Nneka Ogwumike (36:02)

• Key Challenges:
  • Navigating broken trust between league and players.
  • Representing all players, from stars to the last person on the bench.
  • Moving beyond just salary — covers vital logistics like moving costs, support for rentals, and relocation (43:24).
• Revenue Sharing:
  • Nneka compares the WNBA’s fixed percentage (currently just under 10%) to the NBA’s model, where players get around 50% of league revenue.

    “We’re looking to grow with the business… [NBA players] get a percentage based on how much the NBA makes. For us, our percentage doesn’t grow — it’s fixed.” — Nneka Ogwumike (44:28)

  • The players want a more equitable, scalable model tied to league growth.
• Work Stoppage Possible?
  • The risk is real if no deal is reached by the January deadline.

    "The goal is to get a good deal done with the reality that there could be work stoppage, but it would be a first time that we would see this in the WNBA.” — Nneka Ogwumike (47:13)

2. Leadership, Trust, & Player Solidarity

Core conversation from 38:13–44:09

• Negotiations are complicated by emotional fallout and long-standing distrust of the league.
• Nneka underscores the unique challenge of keeping a diverse group of players united through change and stress:

  “Maybe the trust in the league won’t ever be 100%, but if you can trust in this process, that can rebuild something... What’s most important is trusting in the power of the collective.” — Nneka Ogwumike (41:51)

3. Inside the Negotiation Process

49:01

• Negotiations are fast-paced and intense, with meetings mostly on Zoom multiple times per week and often called at short notice (“Is everyone available to hop on a call?”).
• The players have strong internal leadership and quick mobilization capacity.

4. Project B: The New Global Women’s Basketball League

Begins at 27:52, discussed in depth at 56:08

• What is Project B?
  • Newly launched women’s league set to operate outside WNBA’s season; will run in Europe, Asia, and possibly Latin America starting November 2026.
  • Players get both high salaries (reports of $2M+) and equity!
  • Nneka was the first public signee (Nov 5, 2025). Other stars (Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, Jewel Lloyd, etc.) have joined since.
  • Does NOT overlap with WNBA, but does overlap with rival leagues Unrivaled (Nafisa Collier, Breanna Stewart) and Athletes Unlimited.
• Why Nneka Joined:

  “I loved my time overseas…and this is a perfect opportunity to rekindle that love of the global game. It’s also providing an opportunity to compete at the highest level…and I love the equity component.” — Nneka Ogwumike (56:08)

  • Her signing was deliberate, but she says her message is broader:

    “Continuing to be a part of that level of innovation around how players are valued is incredibly important. And that’s a message to anybody.” — Nneka Ogwumike (57:23)

5. Personal Side of Nneka Ogwumike

Laboratory off-seasons, reading, family, learning Igbo

• “Off-season is my laboratory time — I fine-tune the details, experiment in the weight room, do more swimming and Pilates, and cook a lot more.” — Nneka Ogwumike (31:34)
• Learning more about her Nigerian heritage and teaching herself Igbo.

  “I’m teaching myself the language as well. I find more time being able to do that in off season too, which I love.” — Nneka Ogwumike (35:18)

• Has reportedly started every single WNBA game in her 13-year career — “I just try to make myself available to play, that’s all.” (58:17)

Other Highlights

Women’s Sports Headlines Roundup (Winter Olympics, NCAA Volleyball, NWSL Drama)

• Celebrating Lindsey Vonn’s comeback (83rd World Cup win at 41), Team USA ice hockey sweep over Canada, and wild upsets in NCAA women's volleyball (05:22–11:14).
• NWSL introduces new high-impact player rule: allows select stars to get paid above the cap, inspired by Trinity Rodman’s contract drama (11:14–14:12).

  “If NWSL can interfere with the free agency rights of Trinity Rodman, they can do it to anyone. And we won’t stand by that.” — Megan Burke, NWSLPA (12:49)

Draft Party: Top Holiday Movies

15:28–18:31

• The hosts do a fun “holiday movie draft.” Favorites include The Sound of Music (Julie), Elf (Abby), and The Holiday (team favorite).

Memorable Quotes

• “You have to go through it to get to it.” — Nneka on CBA negotiations (40:39)
• “The process almost foreshadows how things can work in the future… I want badly for this league and this union to be better after these CBA negotiations.” — Nneka (40:44)
• “I love her solid confidence, but, like, not arrogant... I want to be friends with Nneka. Can we be friends?” — Abby (64:24)

Notable Moments & Timestamps

| MM:SS | Segment | |---------|----------------------------------------------| | 31:21 | Nneka joins: inside her off-season & mindset | | 36:02 | Vibe check: CBA negotiations rated 6.5/10 | | 38:13 | Challenge of emotional trust in negotiations | | 44:28 | Revenue sharing breakdown | | 47:13 | Work stoppage risk discussed | | 49:01 | Inside the negotiation logistics | | 56:08 | Why Nneka joined Project B | | 57:23 | Equity in Project B & statement to WNBA |

Tone & Takeaways

The tone was supportive, honest, and candid—with an undercurrent of optimism and high stakes. Nneka Ogwumike is painted as a calm, collaborative leader guiding her peers through historic change. The hosts openly admire her blend of humility and strength, and the show reinforces the power and impact of athletes organizing for their own futures.

For Listeners New to the Episode

• You’ll hear what’s at risk (and what’s possible) for the WNBA’s next chapter—direct from the “Madame President” herself.
• Get a beginner-friendly breakdown of CBA concepts, revenue sharing, and why Project B matters.
• Understand the human side of business: solidarity, trust, balancing urgent deadlines with doing it right.
• Stay connected to the vibrant world of women’s sports and why its future just keeps getting brighter.

End of Summary