WNBA should walk -- but more slowly

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© St. Petersburg Times
published June 20, 2002

Somehow, you figured it would never come to this.

Money and greed have overrun pro sports but, somehow, you had to figure those evils never would seep into women's sports, where the purity of the game still exists.

But there are grumblings around the WNBA that a strike might be on the horizon.

The latest shot came Wednesday, when the union announced it filed an unfair labor practice charge against the New York Liberty, which it alleges barred union officials from a recent practice.

As usual, the issue is money. The players want more, and if they don't get it, they say they might not play next season.

Let's see, first baseball. Now the WNBA. When will these people learn?

The players have some legitimate gripes. They are getting only about 15 percent of the league's revenue compared with the roughly 55 percent or more that players get in the NBA, NFL and NHL.

The average salary is $55,000 or $42,000, depending on which side you ask, with rookies being paid a minimum of $30,000 and veterans getting at least $40,000. The players, who get housing and a per diem from the league, think that isn't enough (Does anybody ever think his pay is enough?) and claim there are a handful of coaches making more than $100,000 a season.

The league's collective-bargaining agreement ends Sept.15 and the players say if they can't get a serious pay raise in the next agreement, they may not show up at next year's training camps. They also want fewer restrictions on their marketing opportunities and some form of free agency but would settle for better pay.

At least 100 players supposedly are behind the effort, according to Seattle Storm guard Sonja Henning, who heads the players association.

"We discussed the idea of getting comfortable with a strike," she said. "Of course, we love the game, but understand it's a business. We hope it won't get to that."

League officials, of course, say they would love to give the players a bigger cut of the pie, but they contend the money simply isn't there. The league still is being partially funded by the NBA, and teams aren't making money, if you believe WNBA president Val Ackerman.

Even if the league had the money to bump up salaries, the players have no leverage. A strike? The only thing that's going to accomplish is signal the end of the league.

Heck, there'll be a large slice of the country that will turn its back on baseball if there's another strike. Imagine the fan reaction if WNBA players walk out.

What will happen is this: Nothing.

Oh, there would be irate fans who will side with the players and champion their cause. But let's be realistic. After a few weeks or maybe a month, how many people beyond a few WNBA die-hards will really care?

Sports will move on. It always does. The WNBA would be missed, but in the grand scheme of things, its absence would hardly register.

That's no knock on women's basketball, which has a growing popularity, particularly at the college level where they sometimes can't sell tickets fast enough. Arena football would be in the same predicament if its players came up with the same hare-brained idea.

It's just way too soon for such a power move. The WNBA has made tremendous strides in its six years of existence, building a solid fan base and attracting network television coverage. But it doesn't have the longevity and fan loyalty to withstand a work stoppage.

"We think (we have) a very good relationship with the players, and we're committed to making bargaining an open and constructive process," Ackerman said at the beginning of the season. "We will listen closely to any discussion that the players have on (increasing player salaries) or any other subject."

Something better be worked out before the whole league is ruined. Even the threat of a strike can be damaging to the league's image and marketing efforts.

Both sides need to get to the bargaining table as quickly as possible and start talking. If league officials have money to increase salaries, they ought to do it. Fair is fair. But the players are in no position to make demands, much less issue ultimatums.

What are they going to do? Threaten to go back to playing overseas?

Look, they have a good thing going here. Let's hope they don't have to foul it up to realize that.

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