CLEVELAND — Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson has been displaying his support for the WNBA at his pregame news conferences for several weeks, and he’s now championing the players’ hopes during the league’s ongoing labor dispute.
The WNBA is locked in negotiations as the players’ union fights for higher salaries at a time when the league has seen recent increases in viewership, revenues and interest, with part of that spearheaded by Caitlin Clark‘s popularity. The deadline to reach a collective bargaining agreement in the hopes of avoiding a delay to the start of the regular season passed on March 10.
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There has reportedly been movement on both sides to reach a deal, but no agreement. The CBA talks have threatened the 2026 WNBA season. Revenue sharing and the salary cap remain the biggest sticking points.
A WNBA franchise will be coming to Cleveland, with the original expectation that the initial season for the team would be in 2027. Several aspects of the franchise still need to be announced. But, either way, a potential strike could delay when Cleveland franchise actually begins operations.
Atkinson noted March 9, before the Cavs beat the Philadelphia 76ers, that he supports what the players are trying to accomplish.
“My advice to them would be, go get your money. Go for it,” Atkinson said. “I mean, that’s what it’s about, right? Kind of the explosion of the WNBA? … I think women’s sports in general are exploding. But the WNBA, the key is the product keeps getting better. That’s the most important thing. It’s a darn good product.”
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Atkinson, who said he often watches the WNBA to learn some things given the league’s attention to detail with offensive sets, for weeks has at times worn an orange hat or pin related to the incoming Cleveland WNBA franchise to pregame news conferences.
“It’s so cool that Cleveland’s going to have a team,” he said. “That’s exciting. You know, I’m not a union negotiator, but I was like, man, I want players to push for what they think is just and deserved. I’m sure there’ll be more back and forth before they get something decided.”
Ryan Lewis covers the Cleveland Cavaliers and Guardians for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson supports players in WNBA dispute
