Nneka Ogwumike elected WNBA players' union president

NEW YORK (AP) The Ogwumike sisters are back together again.

Nneka and Chiney are now part of the WNBA players' union executive council. Nneka Ogwumike is the new president and her younger sister is a vice president. They played together at Stanford for two years.

''I'm thrilled to team up with my sister again, this time representing the best interests of the best women's basketball players in the world, both on and off the court,'' said Chiney Ogwumike in a text message to The Associated Press. ''Our league is a sisterhood, and our goal is to continue to expand our unique platform from the locker room to the greater community.''

Nneka Ogwumike ran unopposed for the position and will hold it for three years. She was vice president for the previous two years and succeeds Tamika Catchings, who was president since 2004 before retiring from the league at the end of this past season.

''I am looking forward to serving as Executive Committee President and having a voice that will be heard, while representing, collaborating with, and leading our players' union,'' said the WNBA MVP, who will try and lead Los Angeles to its first title since 2002 when the Sparks face Minnesota in Game 5 on Thursday.

The sisters are joined on the executive committee by Layshia Clarendon (first vice president), Monique Currie (vice president) and Monica Wright (secretary-treasurer). All were elected based on voting that occurred on Oct. 14.

Former committee members Swin Cash and Jayne Appel Marinelli also retired this past year, opening up three spots on the board.

''I would like to thank Tamika Catchings, Swin Cash, Jayne Appel Marinelli and Tanisha Wright for their service on our Executive Committee,'' said WNBAPA director of operations Terri Jackson. ''Their contributions to the WNBPA have been instrumental in our growth and we will be forever grateful.''

The WNBA and the union agreed to a new eight-year CBA in 2014. The agreement does allow for an opt out after the 2019 season.

''I have faith that the union is in good hands,'' Cash said last month. ''We're only a phone call away if needed.''