The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed by members of the WNBPA and the WNBA this year gave the athletes unprecedented financially security — among a whole lot of other things. As the Associated Press noted this week, a lot of big names in the league have made moves in free agency that will allow two things: they'll get the paychecks they want and will get to play closer to where they're from.
For example, Nneka Ogwumike made the decision to return to Los Angeles and play for the Sparks after leaving the city for the Seattle Storm in 2024. Ogwumike was drafted as the first overall pick by the Sparks in 2012, and her return to the city is a true homecoming. Similarly, Skylar Diggins departed the Storm for the Chicago Sky — who happen to play under two hours from her hometown of South Bend, Indiana.
Brittney Griner, who spent most of her career with the Phoenix Mercury before she was traded to the Atlanta Dream last season, signed with the Connecticut Sun. That's a long way away from her hometown of Houston, Texas — but the Sun will be moving next year and presumably rebranding as the Houston Comets. That puts Griner in position to return to her roots, and potentially settle in the city and raise her son, Bash, there.
These decisions wouldn't have been possible without the new CBA. All three athletes were able to sign lucrative deals with their respective teams; Griner potential to return to Houston also would not be possible without expansion. Griner told the AP that just the possibility of playing in front of her family in Houston made the decision to play for her third team in as many years worth it.
Free agency revealed a shift for some WNBA players
The institution of the new CBA could potentially result in a huge shift for the WNBA: players will not have to go overseas to play basketball during the offseason unless they want to. While there are plenty of players signed to Project B (which ostensibly begins this fall after the WNBA season concludes), that's almost a luxury compared to the not-so-distant days during which many players traveled overseas to supplement incomes that were difficult to get by on.
It could also mean more European players attempt to make in the WNBA, especially when contracts going up to $1.4 million are available. This CBA has been described as transformative by many people, and it's starting to become clear exactly why.
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