Deborah Willig Deborah R. Willig of Willig, Williams & Davidson. Courtesy photo

Elected and Appointed

Deborah R. Willig, managing partner of Philadelphia labor, employment, workers' compensation and family law firm Willig, Williams & Davidson, has been chosen to serve on a five-person advisory committee to counsel Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) players on their decision to stay in or opt out of their union's current collective bargaining agreement.

With rising attendance and viewership as well as a new media rights deal that is set to earn the WNBA six times what it makes in its current deal, the players' union is considering how to leverage the league's growing popularity.

The players' current bargaining agreement is set to expire in 2027. If either side chooses to opt out by November 2024, the agreement will end in October 2025 with one year to negotiate a new agreement. Salaries, travel arrangements, revenue sharing structure, and player health and safety are expected to be major considerations in this decision. Other potential issues include pensions, roster sizes, and parental and family planning. benefits.