The Australian Basketballers Association (ABA) and Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) today announced the establishment of the inaugural WNBL Players Minimum Conditions Agreement.

Under the new agreement all employed players will be guaranteed a minimum wage of $7,500, with no cap on the payments which can be made to players or on team salaries.

Previously approximately 20 per cent of all WNBL players were paid less than $5,000, with some getting as little as reimbursement for minor expenses.

The agreement also includes guaranteed contracts, restricted training periods and total hours, as well as improved conditions for travel, promotional appearances and young development players.

CEO of the ABA, Jacob Holmes, said the following:

“This is the first-ever agreement between WNBL players and the WNBL and clubs. It is a credit to the players and current management of the WNBL and clubs that we have been able to establish this inaugural agreement.

“It marks the end of the amateur era of this relationship and ensures the players will be provided with much better conditions of employment within the WNBL. It also marks the beginning of players taking a seat at the table in the best interests of the players and the game.”

Rachel Jarry, President of the WNBL Players, said the deal is a huge step forward for the players.

“We’ve seen what has occurred in other leagues between the players’ associations and governing bodies and this has set the foundation for us in the WNBL. We have now reached this foundational level, and now we want to reach even higher for the players and the sport.”

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For further comment please contact:

Jacob Holmes – M: 0408854091 – E: jholmes@australianbasketballers.com.au