Kalani Purcell of the Tall Ferns dribbles the ball with Tess Madgen of the Opals during the Oceania Championship for Women basketball match between New Zealand and Australia at the ASB Baypark Events Centre in Tauranga on Monday the 17th August 2015. Copyright Photo Marty Melville / www.photosport.nz Photo: Marty Melville
Women basketballers in Australia are set to see their minimum salary levels double over the next four years and gain base-level pay parity with men in the third year, in what the country's governing bodies called "an historic" deal.
A new collective bargaining agreement will lift the minimum salary for players in the Women's National Basketball League from A$23,000 ($24,600) to A$46,952 ($50,300) by the 2028-29 season, with the league's salary cap jumping by 8 percent every year.
"This agreement marks a historic milestone and is the biggest single leap forward in WNBL history," Jacob Holmes, chief executive of the Australian Basketball Players Association said in a statement.
"WNBL players are now going to be invested in at a level that truly reflects their talent and dedication," he said.
The 8 percent salary cap will mean a maximum salary of just over A$723,000 ($774,000) by the 2028-29 season.
The agreement, which is aimed at retaining talent in Australia long-term, also includes full contract protection insurance payments for injured players and higher investment in players' wellbeing.
- Reuters
