The ongoing CBA negotiations between the WNBA and the players’ union are already shaping up to be one of the most crucial moments in league history, with a union strike or a league lockout looming over every day. And with the talks intensifying behind closed doors, WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike has made a move that has sent ripples.

Amid the tensions, Ogwumike recently took to her Instagram to announce that she has officially signed with Project B, a new women’s basketball league launching next fall. And showcasing their support, the WNBPA also took to their social media page shortly after her post to reshare the same on their stories. The post Ogwumike uploaded was captioned with, “A new chapter built on purpose, partnership, and possibility. Proud to join @projectb_global not just as a player, but as a partner and owner, to help shape the future of global sport.”

While Project B isn’t a direct competition for the WNBA, as they will operate in Europe and Asia, the timing couldn’t have been more sensitive. With leagues like Unrivaled already threatening to lower the value of the WNBA by offering athletes handsome salaries and a play style where even a blink can make you miss a crucial play, Project B dropping its hat in the ring might not make things better — if anything, it could make them worse.

As part of the deal with the league, Ogwumike is set to earn an approximate $2M salary, according to Front Office Sports, along with an equity stake in Project B. To put this in perspective, the amount is roughly eight times higher than the WNBA’s top salary, which helps explain why Nneka and other players are being drawn to the league. Still, some critics feel that, given the ongoing friction, WNBPA publicly supporting the move is “shameful.”

Meanwhile, as expected, in a recent interview with The Associated Press, the 35-year-old emphasized that compensation played a major role in her decision. “It’s not something that’s usually offered to us, and by us, I mean women athletes. So, for there to be an entry level of equity across the board was eye-catching. It’s something that I stand for, obviously,” she said.

At a time like this, this move from the president of the players’ union is definitely a bold statement and a reminder to her peers that there are other courts to play on if the WNBA doesn’t meet its players halfway.

Nneka Ogwumike opens up about CBA extension

After weeks of uncertainty, the WNBA and the WNBPA agreed to a 30-day extension just a few days ago to continue collective bargaining talks. While the league had initially proposed the extension earlier in October, the players’ union didn’t really think that the circumstances aligned with their goals.

But with the extension now finalized on the condition that the players can terminate the extension at any time with 48 hours’ notice, Ogwumike recently shared her thoughts on NBC News. She said, “Two weeks ago, the league offered an extension, but at the time, we felt the circumstances necessary for our agreement to an extension weren’t quite met. But in the last few days, we felt the negotiations had evolved, so ultimately, the player leadership decided to respond to the request to extend the current CBA.”

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With negotiations still ongoing, the players association’s president being involved with a rival league has opened the door for other athletes to consider a career elsewhere. And with the clock ticking, the league and the players’ union must find common ground soon, or risk witnessing the undoing of the WNBA as we know it.

As the WNBPA rallies behind its president, what are your thoughts on this latest move by Nneka Ogwumike? Let us know in the comments section!