The WNBA and its players’ union are scheduled to meet Tuesday to continue negotiations aimed at finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), sources familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press. The timing is critical, as the league faces a looming deadline to ensure the upcoming season can commence as planned.
Recent Proposal Exchanges and Pending Revenue Sharing Agreement
Over the past weekend, both sides exchanged proposals, with the league submitting its latest offer on Saturday. Details of the newest proposals remain confidential, but revenue sharing remains the principal point of contention. The union recently proposed an average of 26% of gross revenue across the term of the CBA, including 25% in the first year, a figure the league has called unrealistic.
The WNBA’s counteroffers have focused on allocating over 70% of net revenue to players, with incremental growth expected alongside league expansion. This critical disagreement is central to whether talks will reach a handshake agreement before the Tuesday deadline, which is necessary for the season timeline to proceed.
Timeline for Season Preparations Hinges on Agreement
The urgency to settle the CBA stems from the league’s need to complete negotiations by Tuesday to allow signing by the end of the month. This schedule would accommodate the expansion draft for the new franchises in Portland and Toronto between April 1 and 6. Following the draft, free agent qualifying offers, including franchise player designations, would be sent out around April 7 and 8.
Teams would then have a three-day window to negotiate with over 80 percent of free agents, leading to a signing period from April 12 through April 18. Training camps could begin immediately after, setting the stage for a May 8 season start.
Leading Players Advocate for Face-to-Face Negotiations
Amid the high-stakes discussions, standout player Caitlin Clark recently voiced her support for direct, in-person negotiations rather than continuing the back-and-forth exchange of proposals. Speaking at USA Basketball training camp, Clark emphasized the importance of direct dialogue.
“I don’t understand why we don’t just get in a room and iron it out and shake hands,”
she said.
“That’s how business is. You look each other in the eye, you shake hands, you respect both sides. For me, that’s what I would love to see.”
?Caitlin Clark, Player
Union Vice President Breanna Stewart echoed Clark’s sentiments, emphasizing readiness for intense, prolonged discussions to finalize the deal.
“I think that would be great for us all to sit in a room until we really get it done,”
Stewart stated.
“If that means sitting in there for hours and hours at a time, let’s do it. That’s for the better of the player. While a situation like that has never happened before, there’s a first time for everything.”
?Breanna Stewart, Union Vice President
Implications of the Negotiations on the Upcoming WNBA Season
The outcome of these discussions will determine whether the league can adhere to its tight schedule involving the expansion draft, free agency, and training camps, and ultimately start the season on time. Additionally, the resolution of the revenue sharing model holds broader significance for the league’s financial structure and the future relationship between players and management as new franchises prepare to join the league.
As both parties prepare to meet, the pressure to resolve differences swiftly underscores the high stakes involved for players, teams, and emerging markets like Portland and Toronto. The coming days will reveal how the WNBA collective bargaining agreement unfolds, significantly shaping the league’s trajectory for years ahead.
