WNBA and Players' Union Report Progress in CBA Talks as Key Issues Linger
Both the WNBA and the players' union have indicated that significant progress is being made toward a new collective bargaining agreement, although both sides acknowledge that substantial work remains to finalise a deal. In-person negotiations entered their seventh consecutive day on Monday afternoon, following a session that concluded around 3 a.m. earlier that morning.
Marathon Negotiations and Leadership Statements
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasised the complexity of the discussions, stating, "We're working as hard as we can to get it done as quickly as possible. It's complex. There's a lot. There's a lot of system elements. There's a lot of structure elements. ... This is a big, big league and we want to do everything we can for the players. So, we're going to keep making progress." The talks have involved over 75 hours of face-to-face meetings since the first in-person bargaining session on Tuesday, with none ending before midnight.
Union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson highlighted the ongoing efforts, noting, "We're still working. We're still fighting. There's still some things that we have to — big issue things — that we have to get through. So, we're just going to stick with it and stay with it." Jackson confirmed that while agreement has been reached on some areas, major items still require resolution.
Key Sticking Points: Revenue Sharing and Housing
The primary obstacles in the negotiations revolve around revenue sharing and player housing. The league has proposed using net revenue—revenue after expenses—whereas the union has advocated for gross revenue—revenue before expenses. Initially, the union sought 40% of gross revenue but reduced this to 26% before the intensive in-person sessions began. Conversely, the league has offered more than 70% of net revenue for the players.
Regarding housing, teams have historically covered player accommodation in the WNBA, but the league aims to modify this arrangement in the new CBA. Player representative Nneka Ogwumike explained, "We're trying to enter into this transitional space where we are now making enough money to be able to take care of that, but we're not quite at the point where we can eliminate it outright."
Timeline Concerns and Season Implications
If these critical issues are resolved, the WNBA season is likely to commence as scheduled on May 8. However, time is of the essence. Commissioner Engelbert expressed uncertainty about whether training camp, set for April 19, would need to be postponed if a deal is not reached promptly. She remarked, "I wish I knew the answer to that. I do not know the answer to that. But you see us here at three in the morning, four in the morning, at five in the morning. So that gives an indication that both sides are motivated at that time."
Jackson acknowledged the schedule pressures, stating, "There's a season schedule that has their own milestones. Right? Absolutely. We recognize that and we respect those. We also recognize that these are big time negotiations and so that there may be a need to adjust. Absolutely. And the players more importantly, recognize that, understand that, and are prepared for it as they always have been."
Upcoming Events and Broader Context
Before the preseason games begin on April 25, featuring matchups such as Caitlin Clark and Indiana visiting New York and Seattle playing Golden State, several key events must occur. These include an expansion draft for Portland and Toronto, free agency affecting 80% of the league, and the college draft. The intense negotiations reflect the high stakes involved, with union counsel Deborah R. Willig noting, "For myself, I thought we were going to get this done yesterday, and I thought the day before so I would hope, but this has been an extraordinarily unusual set of labor negotiations, and I've been doing this for over 50 years. I think the why, frankly, is because the league underestimated seriously the resolve of the players and what they sought to achieve."
Connecticut Sun president Jen Rizzotti, a member of the labor relations committee, praised the dedication of both sides, saying, "The fact that they just don't want to stop, both sides, it's not just the league side, it's even the union. They want to get it done. I think it's admirable to know that they're paying attention to the fact that this is crucial and time is of the essence and we need to have a season." The executive committee of players, including Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Brianna Turner, and Alysha Clark, have been actively involved, with some leaving sessions as late as 2 a.m. on Monday.
