The WNBA and the WNBPA are still at a standstill on a new CBA. Two extensions later, there’s no agreement in sight, and the threat of a work stoppage is becoming very real. Against that backdrop, Shakira Austin’s recent revelation shows exactly why the players aren’t backing down.
You see, a few days ago, Guerschon Yabusele — who went from being a starter with the Philadelphia 76ers to struggling for minutes with the New York Knicks — opened up about why longevity in the NBA matters so much to him. “If you play three years in the NBA, you get a lifetime pension,” he said, flexing the benefits NBA players get. “After four seasons, medical expenses are covered for life. After five years, the medical coverage is extended to the entire family. I want to play for five years in the NBA so that my family can benefit from that lifetime care.”
Yabusele’s comments quickly went viral, and Shakira Austin of the Washington Mystics used the moment to highlight the stark contrast between the NBA and the WNBA. “Must be niceeee, over here they telling vets to pay for a flight to All-Star weekend to get checked by a doc in a pop up tent 🙃,” she said on X.
Before 2024, WNBA teams generally did not travel by charter, except in select situations. Instead, players flew commercial, a setup that often raised concerns around flight delays, scheduling strain, and security. Over time, those issues pushed several players to speak out publicly in favor of expanded charter travel.
The league began taking incremental steps as a result.
In 2022, the WNBA expanded its charter program to include the Commissioner’s Cup championship game and all WNBA Finals matchups. That progress continued in 2023, when charter flights were provided for all postseason games, along with select regular-season situations involving back-to-back contests.
By 2024, the WNBA had finally rolled out a full-time charter flight program for all teams, a move that lined up with the league’s surge in popularity, driven in large part by the rise of Caitlin Clark. On paper, it looked like a major step forward.
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But Shakira Austin’s recent revelation tells a different story. Even during All-Star weekend, players are still paying out of pocket for flights, while medical evaluations are reportedly conducted in temporary tents. It’s an important reminder that, despite recent strides, the WNBA still has a long way to go before matching the NBA in terms of infrastructure and player support.
The union didn’t stay quiet either and responded shortly after the tweet.
Shakira Austin receives support from the WNBPA
As things stand, the WNBPA and the WNBA remain far apart in negotiations. The league’s latest proposal includes a guaranteed $1 million base salary, with the potential for players to earn up to roughly $1.2 million through revenue sharing. That framework would make a portion of league revenue shareable, with players receiving 50 percent of that pool.
But the WNBPA rejected the proposal, citing major concerns with the revenue-sharing structure. According to the union, not all revenue streams would be included, and several expenses would be deducted before the split is calculated. As reported by Front Office Sports, once everything is factored in, the model would leave players with less than 15 percent of the WNBA’s total revenue — a figure the union sees as unacceptable.
And now Shakira Austin’s tweet has given the WNBPA another clear example of why it’s refusing to sign off on the current CBA proposal. The union reacted to Austin’s remarks by directly calling out the league’s approach to player care.
“Player health isn’t optional!! Our athletes deserve real, long-term medical care, not temporary fixes. We stand with our players and will keep pushing for benefits that reflect their value and sacrifice,” the WNBPA wrote on its Instagram page.
The January 9 deadline is fast approaching, and right now, it’s hard to see the WNBA and the WNBPA finding common ground anytime soon. Do you think a deal gets done before the clock runs out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.