"Buckle up" - Alysha Clark & other WNBA players react to Cathy Engelbert's announcement of opting out of CBA after historic season

Just a day after the WNBA Finals, the WNBPA has finally decided to opt out of the current 2020 CBA. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that in light of the WNBPA's decision, the league will work closely with the players and listen to their demands for inclusion in the new agreement.

The current CBA, which will run through the 2025 season, will end on October 31 next year. With the players' association, the league will have to work with players to devise a new CBA that will come into effect by 2026.

"With the historic 2024 WNBA season now in the books, we look forward to working together with the players and the WNBPA on a new CBA that is fair for all and lays the foundation for growth and success for years to come," Engelbert said in her statement.

Several WNBA players welcomed the decision by WNBPA to opt out. Reacting to a post by WNBPA on X, Las Vegas Aces star Alysha Clark wrote:

"It’s business. Buckle up ☺️."

Chicago Sky player Breanna Turner also welcomed the decision.

"It’s business," she wrote.

In the past year, the league has achieved unprecedented success. The overall viewership has surged and the attendance for the games has increased manifold. Given how the league is expanding and garnering more profits, it was expected that the WNBPA would opt out of the current CBA.

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What are WNBA players' priorities under the new CBA?

The rejection of the 2020 CBA was almost inevitable, given how much of the conversation has taken place around fair pay. Under the new CBA, the WNBPA will have many more issues to negotiate on with the league.

According to Mike Vorkunov from The Athletic, the player opted out of the current CBA because they wanted to save the league from its limitations. According to Vorkunov, the WNBPA has five points that it wants to include in the new CBA.

Under the new CBA, the WNBPA demands that the league's financial success should reflect on players' financial benefits as well. The players' association also wants that the players should be fairly paid according to their contribution to the league.

The other points include retirement, pregnancy and family planning benefits for players, including benefits extending to their families. Under the new CBA, the WNBPA also demands safe practice facilities for players as well as travel accommodations.