The Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association (WNBPA) and the National Women’s Soccer League Players’ Association (NWSLPA) have deepened their collaboration, showing how solidarity across sports can strengthen their push for fair pay, safe working conditions, and respect for athletes. What began as mutual support has evolved into a meaningful partnership shaping the future of women’s sports.
Joining Forces for a Greater Impact
In July, WNBA players wore shirts reading “Pay Us What You Owe Us” before the All-Star Game, highlighting their union’s ongoing collective bargaining fight. Soon after, members of the NWSLPA joined the cause, ordering similar shirts that read “Pay Them What You Owe Them.” Kansas City Current players wore theirs before a September match, symbolizing unity across leagues. This public show of support reflected a growing alliance between the two unions, one rooted in shared values and mutual advocacy.
Understanding the League of Unions
The relationship between the WNBPA and NWSLPA has evolved from mentorship to mutual partnership. The basketball union, founded in 1998, set an early example for activism and labor organization. When the soccer players formed their own union in 2017, WNBPA leaders like Terri Carmichael Jackson provided early guidance. Now, both unions regularly communicate, sharing strategies for negotiations, legal protections, and player safety standards. Their work extends beyond sports issues, such as collaborating on statements about immigration policy and jointly addressing the federal SCORE Act, which raised concerns about Title IX protections.
Historical Context and Current Landscape
Both unions are relatively young compared to their male counterparts in leagues like the NBA or NFL, which makes their cooperation even more crucial. The WNBPA’s decades-long history of activism has influenced the NWSLPA’s approach to labor rights and collective action. Together, they have participated in investigations into league misconduct, testified in government hearings, and supported each other’s collective bargaining efforts, each victory setting a precedent for the other.
A Movement Fueled by Data
Union leaders ground their advocacy in data and legal expertise, analyzing pay structures, workplace conditions, and health standards. They have also raised alarms about policies that could weaken labor protections or gender equity laws. Their shared participation in the AFL-CIO Sports Council gives them a broader platform to address systemic issues, from fair pay to player safety.
Stories of Empowerment and the Road Ahead
Both unions view their collaboration as more than strategic, it’s cultural. By publicly supporting each other’s causes, they send a message that women’s athletes across leagues face similar struggles and deserve fair treatment. The partnerships built through these shared efforts help establish a stronger, united front that can push for long-term change.
An Empowering Call to Action
The message from both unions is clear: progress in women’s sports depends on unity. Their alliance shows that collective power, across teams, leagues, and sports can move the needle on equity faster than isolated action. As the attention and investment in women’s sports continue to rise, their solidarity ensures that the athletes themselves remain at the center of the conversation.
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