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SPORTS Wednesday 15 January 2020
WNBA's 8-year labor deal to hike average salary to $130,000

By DOUG FEINBERG ed with a WNBA team. This
AP Basketball Writer was an issue last year when
NEW YORK (AP) — The Washington Mystics guard
WNBA and its union an- Kristi Toliver could earn only
nounced a tentative eight- $10,000 as an assistant for
year labor deal Tuesday the Wizards because of
that will allow top players pay restrictions in the previ-
to earn more than $500,000 ous CBA.
while the average annual Other highlights of the CBA
compensation will surpass include:
six figures for the first time. —Travel improvements
The contract, which be- where players are given
gins this season and runs premium economy airline
through 2027, will pay play- tickets as well as individual
ers an average of $130,000 rooms on road trips. In the
and guarantees full salaries past, players flew coach
while on maternity leave. and some shared rooms.
The collective bargaining —A more liberal free agen-
agreement also provides cy system that allows play-
enhanced family benefits, ers to become unrestricted
travel standards and other free agents sooner begin-
health and wellness im- ning next year if they aren't
provements. In this Friday, May 31, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Sparks' Chiney Ogwumike (13), obscured at given the "core" designa-
left, and her sister Nneka Ogwumike celebrate after a win over the Connecticut Sun in a WNBA
"I call it historic," WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles. tion by their team. It also
Commissioner Cathy En- Associated Press drops the number of times
gelbert said in a phone in- a player can be so desig-
terview. "The CBA guaran- in 1997. Like the last one, the league growing and Nike and Deloitte are the nated from four to three
tees substantial (financial) there is a mutual opt-out then the revenue share inaugural three business beginning this year and
increases. The way we are provision after six years. will grow," Ogwumike said. partners. "We're hoping to down to two beginning in
paying these players is dif- The CBA also proposes a "Revenue sharing is putting lift, not just women in sports 2022.
ferent than the past. ... The minimum of $1.6 million your best foot forward." and women in basketball, —Players receive their full
top couple players are tri- in offseason league and Engelbert said the addi- but women in society.," En- salary while on maternity
pling (in pay) where they team marketing agree- tional money needed to gelbert said. leave, are given two-bed-
were. Other players are ments that would create fund the CBA will come The league will also ex- room apartments for play-
making $200,000-300,000. up to $300,000 in addition- from a variety of sources. pand its schedule by a few ers with children as well as
The average will be over al annual cash for select "Teams and owners are games and add an in-sea- workplace accommoda-
$130,000. Everyone gets an players. The rookie scale stepping up. The league is son Commissioner's Cup tions that provide privacy
increase here." for the Nos. 1-4 picks will rise stepping up," said the com- tournament this year. for nursing mothers.
The deal was overwhelm- to $68,000 — an increase missioner, who started last The WNBA also will work —The league is also intro-
ingly approved by players of about $15,000 from this July. with the NBA and its de- ducing family planning
and must still be ratified year — plus the ability to She also touted the new velopmental league and benefits of up to a $60,000
by owners. It calls for 50-50 qualify for league-guar- "Changemakers" program, college basketball to pro- reimbursement for veteran
revenue sharing starting in anteed money under the with key sponsors support- mote players for coaching players for costs directly re-
2021, based on the league marketing agreement. ing the WNBA in its trans- opportunities. Engelbert lated to adoption, surroga-
achieving revenue growth "It was collaborative ef- formation across market- said players can get paid cy and fertility treatment.
targets from broadcast fort,'" WNBA players' union ing, branding and player at the market rate even if —Enhanced mental health
agreements, marketing president Nneka Ogwu- and fan experiences. AT&T, the NBA franchise is affiliat- benefits and resources.q
partnerships and licensing mike said. "I think that we
deals. really all had the same Bears say they will hold training
"I was adamant on the 50- things in mind and had dif-
"The league and players We really put our heads camp at home
50 target," Engelbert said. ferent way of getting there.

work together to market together and came with
this league so we can share some ideas." LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — fans. The team said free mitted partner, but with
revenue with the players. Ogwumike said the labor The Chicago Bears will tickets for workouts at Ha- the recent investment in
We have to hit some tar- pact provides more finan- hold their entire training las Hall will be made avail- our campus expansion
gets." cial incentive for players camp at their headquar- able this spring. and state-of-the-art fa-
The salary cap will go up to stay in the offseason in- ters rather than spend the The facility has under- cilities in Lake Forest, we
31% to $1.3 million in the first stead of playing overseas. first few weeks in Bourbon- gone a major transforma- feel it is important to stay
year — up from $996,000 Former league MVP Bre- nais, Illinois. tion in recent years with home for training camp,"
and another $750,000 anna Stewart tore an Achil- The Bears announced two new practice fields president Ted Phillips said.
in prize money for spe- les tendon overseas last Tuesday they will remain and more parking spaces "We would like to thank
cial competitions arrives year and missed the entire at Halas Hall rather than added, two big reasons Olivet Nazarene Univer-
in 2021. Under this deal, WNBA season. practice the first few the Bears can now hold sity, including president
the maximum base salary Diana Taurasi sat out a weeks 90 miles south at camp there. They also ex- John Bowling, and the
would increase to $215,000 season a few years ago Olivet Nazarene Univer- panded their headquar- Bourbonnais community
from $117,500. because her Russian team sity, as they have for 18 ters, adding a new locker for their 18 years of part-
"You can pay your stars. was paying her more than years. They held camp at room, weight room, caf- nership and hospitality."
That's how the league $1 million and wanted her Wisconsin-Platteville from eteria, conference rooms The last time the Bears
grows," Engelbert said. to rest. 1984-2001. and offices. "Olivet Naza- held camp at home was
This will be the fifth CBA for "This agreement is reflective Practices in Bourbonnais rene University continues at Lake Forest College
the WNBA, which launched of the game growing and were a big draw for Bears to be a valued and com- from 1975-83. q