WNBA Union Left Out of Ion Talks, Wants Say in Future Deals

The WNBA and Scripps Sports said Friday they had a multiyear extension to continue airing games on Ion.

The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, adds to the league’s 11-year, $2.2 billion deal it agreed to in July.

Players had wanted to be included in talks, as the amount of money coming in will ultimately determine players’ salaries in the next collective bargaining agreement.

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) tells Front Office Sports it was not included in the negotiations, despite previously receiving support from commissioner Cathy Engelbert to be at the table.

“The commissioner expressed support for their involvement in those talks. The union noted that it didn’t happen this time,” a union source told FOS.

According to the union source, the WNBPA understands its involvement in these discussions is “unprecedented” but remains “hopeful” it will be included in future negotiations.

The initial $2.2 billion deal was tied into the NBA’s $77 billion deal with partners Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Prime Video. ESPN reported in July that the additional partners—like Ion and CBS—could bring the total of WNBA’s full media deal close to $3 billion. 

The WNBA does not appear to be finished with its negotiations as it has yet to secure an extension with CBS Sports. The network has aired two of the three most-watched WNBA games of the 2025 season through the first month.

In May, WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson told The Athletic that the union asked to be included in media-rights negotiations and that Engelbert “seemed inclined” to go along with the request.