Imagine a league where the athletes are breaking viewership records, yet their paychecks barely reflect the value they bring. That’s the reality for WNBA players, and Nneka Ogwumike, the fearless president of their players’ union, is determined to change it. But here’s where it gets controversial: Ogwumike isn’t just asking for a raise—she’s demanding a revolution in how women athletes are compensated. Let’s dive into why this fight matters and what’s at stake.
As the leader of the WNBA players’ union, Ogwumike represents a group of athletes who have catapulted women’s basketball into the spotlight like never before. With record-breaking viewership numbers (https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/10/espns-monumental-wnba-season-sets-new-viewership-records/), the league is thriving—but are the players reaping their fair share of the rewards? Not even close, says Ogwumike. In recent collective-bargaining talks, she and her fellow players are pushing for more than just incremental changes. For context, the maximum WNBA salary in 2025 was a mere $250,000. The league’s proposed 2026 offer? A $1 million base salary, with potential earnings climbing to nearly $2 million through revenue sharing. Sounds impressive, right? Wrong. Ogwumike, a 10-time All-Star and former MVP, isn’t buying it. “When you look at how much revenue is being generated, that’s just a decimal,” she told TIME. “We’re not asking for scraps—we’re asking for what we’re worth. And it’s more than a million.”
The WNBA counters that their proposal is a step in the right direction, offering players a direct stake in the league’s success through an uncapped revenue-sharing model. “Our goal is to deliver significant salary increases while ensuring the league’s long-term growth,” a spokesperson said. But Ogwumike isn’t convinced. She argues that the players’ contributions deserve a bolder commitment, especially as the league continues to soar in popularity. And this is the part most people miss: This isn’t just about money—it’s about valuing women athletes in a way that matches their impact on and off the court.
Ogwumike’s leadership isn’t limited to the bargaining table. Since taking the helm of the union in 2016, she’s proven herself as a trusted advocate for players’ rights and social justice. During the 2020 WNBA bubble, or “wubble,” players used their platform to honor Breonna Taylor, protest racial injustice after the shooting of Jacob Blake, and rally voters for the Georgia Senate election—efforts that helped unseat then-Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler. Ogwumike even took over LeBron James’ voting-rights organization, More Than a Vote, ahead of the 2024 election. Her activism is rooted in her Nigerian-American heritage, which instilled in her a deep sense of community and global awareness. “Nigerian culture taught me to look beyond myself and fight for what’s right,” she explains.
Now, as her playing career winds down, Ogwumike is focused on securing a future where WNBA players are no longer undervalued. A successful agreement could propel the league into a decade of prosperity. But a stalemate? That could mean a work stoppage, derailing the WNBA’s momentum and damaging its brand. Here’s the million-dollar question: Are league owners willing to invest in their players as much as they invest in their profits? Or will the WNBA’s rise be capped by outdated compensation models?
As negotiations continue, Ogwumike remains optimistic but firm. “Players know their worth, and we’re not backing down,” she says. Whether she stays in basketball post-retirement—perhaps as a team president—or pursues other paths, one thing is clear: Nneka Ogwumike is a force for change. What do you think? Is the WNBA’s proposal fair, or should players demand even more? Let’s debate in the comments.
