Prompts winter weather advisories as cold air moves in Friday night

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Hopkins native Paige Bueckers was the number one pick in the WNBA draft on April 15. She is fresh off an 

 with the University of Connecticut Huskies.

But behind all the excitement of her entrance into the WNBA is an 

 for a new contract between the players’ union (The Women's National Basketball Players Association) and the league. 

The current collective bargaining agreement will end in the fall after the 2025 season, said Doug Feinberg, women’s basketball reporter for the Associated Press. So, these negotiations will be for next season and beyond. Player salaries are a central topic of discussion. 

It comes at a time when the league is showing growth by all measures.

“The numbers are great, ratings are great, attendance is great. They have a new media rights deal they signed last year,” said Feinberg.

For her rookie contract, Paige Bueckers’ base salary will be $78,000, slightly more than what Caitlin Clark got in her first season. By comparison, NBA rookies start off in the millions. 

“That’s where the league and the union are going to be discussing this year trying to get players more money that the players think they deserve,” Feinberg said. “And the league understands that the players probably should be getting paid more than they are right now.”

For the full conversation with Doug Feinberg, click play on the audio player above.

Shows

All Things Considered

On Air

Tom Crann

Host

Ngoc Bui

Author

The current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2025 season. It comes at a time when the league is showing growth by all measures.

Hopkins native Paige Bueckers is set to be the number one pick in the WNBA draft tonight. She is fresh off an NCAA championship with the University of Connecticut Huskies. But behind all the excitement of her entrance into the WNBA is an ongoing negotiation over player salaries between the players’ union and the league. Doug Feinberg from the Associated Press shared more with MPR News host Tom Crann.

Paige Bueckers tops WNBA draft as players union looks to negotiate higher salaries

A woman with blonde hair poses for a photo

Paige Bueckers tops WNBA draft as players union looks to negotiate higher salaries

Go Deeper.

Like this?