The huge pay raise WNBA players recently received in their new collective bargaining agreement is among the largest in sports history and may be the largest ever for any union. The Wall Street Journal notes that the 364% increase in salary cap ($7 billion, up from $1.5 million last year) means that, staring this year, players’ average salary will exceed $580,000 per year. The deal, which followed about 18 months of often contentious negotiation, runs for seven years. Ten-time all-star Nneka Ogwumike, who serves as WNBA players’ association presidents, said the agreement reflects “players owning their value and future alongside a league growing stronger because of it.” The deal is the first comprehensive revenue sharing model in women’s professional sports history.
