What NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Thinks About the WNBA’s Ongoing CBA Negotiations

During an appearance on NBC’s “Today Show” Tuesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discussed the WNBA labor talks with reporter Craig Melvin to kick off the new NBA season.

Adam Silver on WNBA labor talks: “I think ‘share’ isn’t the right way to look at it.”

When Martin asked if the league would get a larger share of the revenue, Silver said that he doesn’t see it as a “share issue” and noted WNBA players will see a significant increase in the salary cap.

“I think share isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA,” Silver said Tuesday. “I think you should look at absolute numbers in terms of what they are making. They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining, and they deserve it.”

When it comes to Silver discussing the WNBA’s revenue share, it’s a complex situation because there’s a lot to unpack from his answer on the “Today Show.” Currently, WNBA players receive 9 percent of revenue, while NBA players receive 50 percent. 

On its Instagram story, the WNBPA posted a video of Silver’s comments with the caption, “Don’t want to share?” while tagging his account.

Silver became NBA commissioner in 2014, succeeding the late David Stern, and has helped grow the WNBA and led CBA talks on the NBA side. With a transformative WNBA collective bargaining agreement looming, it’s easy to see why Silver is under fire for these comments. 

Several players have voiced their wish for a fair revenue share, increased salaries, and other benefits, including prioritization. While the current CBA emphasizes prioritizing the WNBA, players often play in secondary leagues or overseas to supplement their income. 

Adam Silver on the WNBA labor talks:

“I think share isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA…they are gonna get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining and they deserve it” pic.twitter.com/3SREuS0JG1

— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) October 21, 2025

Tension Rises between Cathy Engelbert and Players

Last month, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier criticized WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league’s leadership during the team’s exit interviews.  She canceled a scheduled meeting with Engelbert after the commissioner denied making such comments. 

Since then, tension has grown among Engelbert, team owners, and players as they negotiate a new CBA.

“There’s no question that the WNBA is going through growing pains, and it’s unfortunate that it’s coming just as their most important games and their Finals are on right now,” Silver said on Oct. 6, via ESPN, when discussing how the relationship between the league leadership and players could be repaired. 

“We’ve had two fantastic games so far, and we want to celebrate the game at the moment, and then we’ve got to sit down with the players and negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement,” said Silver.

During the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis in July, players from the All-Star teams wore shirts reading, “Pay us what you owe us,” while fans in attendance held posters stating, “Pay the players.”

After the Las Vegas Aces won their third franchise championship in Phoenix on Oct. 10, the crowd loudly booed Engelbert when ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe mentioned her name during the trophy presentation.

Napheesa Collier’s full statement today, where she challenged Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA with directness and stunning detail we rarely hear from active players. Worth listening to every word. pic.twitter.com/IRTvTc52EA

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 30, 2025

Time Is Running Out as WNBA CBA Deadline Nears Oct. 31

In July, Engelbert spoke to reporters during WNBA All-Star weekend about her respect for the players and her belief that the league will have a reliable CBA.

“Just want to say I really respect the players,” Engelbert said July 19. “We’re listening. They’re listening to our owners. We’re kind of in the middle as the league trying to make sure we’re setting this league up for success for decades. That’s the goal, to have a fair CBA for all.”

“I want a lot of the same things the players want. I said that last time, too. It’s not changed. But we also have to have a process where we go back and forth. We’re in the process. Again, I’m still really optimistic that we’ll get something done that will be transformational, and next year at All-Star, we’ll be talking about how great everything is. Obviously, there’s a lot of hard work to be done on both sides to get there.”

Before Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury, Engelbert expressed her hope of meeting the deadline on time while balancing increased player salaries with the “long-term viability of the league.”

Is an Extension in Sight?

When Engelbert took over as commissioner in 2019, she mentioned the WNBPA received an extension to the current CBA, with negotiations completed in January 2020. 

“On the October 31st deadline, we’re working really hard,” Engelbert said on Oct. 3. “We have a couple meetings next week. We had one this week. Working really hard to exchange proposals and make some progress. While I hope we make the October 31st deadline, and that is a real deadline from that perspective, we have extended deadlines in the past.”

“I know last time, when I was only a couple days on the job, we got to an extension and got a deal done that was progressive at the time. So again, I feel confident that we can get a deal done, but if not, I think we could do an extension…Hopefully, the Players Association and we will continue to work hard between now and the end of the month.”

With the current CBA set to expire on Halloween and the WNBPA having opted out exactly a year ago, time is running out to finalize a new agreement.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke with media ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals to address the following:

-Napheesa Collier’s remarks
-Officiating concerns
-New committee to address player concerns/safety
-CBA Negotiations pic.twitter.com/HYGTpLBByd

— ESPN (@espn) October 3, 2025

Much Work Lies Ahead

After Silver shared his view on revenue sharing with the WNBA, many questions linger as negotiations continue. 

The WNBA has experienced exponential growth in recent years, driven by the emergence of rising stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, expansion into new cities, and record-breaking merchandise sales and viewership.

WNBA players now have the option to compete in stateside leagues like Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited, allowing them to earn offseason income at home— a choice that grew more urgent after Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia nearly four years ago. It also allows players to stay close to their children and families while earning a respectable salary. 

With the rise of women’s basketball, the league can’t afford to lose the momentum it’s building if a lockout happens. With record numbers on the rise, it’s essential to capitalize on the now! Players across the league deserve higher salaries and a larger share of the revenue they help generate. As Chelsea Gray said, “There’s no growth without the players.”

*Story co-written by Aya Abdeen and Sara Jane Gamelli*

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