NEW YORK (AP) – The WNBA and the players' union continue their negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) as they prepare for the upcoming season. Meeting for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday, both parties express a strong sense of urgency to finalize a deal by Monday. This deadline is crucial to prevent disruptions to the season, which is scheduled to begin with preseason games on April 25.
Since their in-person meetings started on Tuesday, league officials and player representatives have engaged in around 50 hours of discussions. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasized the need for a timely resolution, stating, "We have to get a deal done by Monday." She underlined that there are several key events on the horizon, including an expansion draft, free agency, and the college draft, which is just a month away.
The preseason schedule is already set to kick off with two games featuring Caitlin Clark and Indiana visiting New York, along with Seattle facing Golden State. Engelbert is concerned about the implications of negotiations dragging on, noting that “we have a fairly short preseason,” and additional complexities arise with free agency affecting approximately 80% of the league alongside the expansion draft for Portland and Toronto.
Recent negotiations have primarily focused on ancillary issues, with the major point of contention being revenue sharing. The two sides have differing views on how revenue should be calculated, with the league favoring net revenue (after expenses) and the union advocating for gross revenue (before expenses). Union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson expressed optimism regarding the discussions, stating, “I think we must have reached agreement on some things,” while acknowledging that revenue sharing remains a substantive challenge.
The players’ union initially sought 40% of gross revenue but has since reduced its demand to 26%. The league's offer has been around 70% of net revenue. Throughout the negotiations, both parties have exchanged about 15 proposals, working into late hours to address their respective concerns. Engelbert remarked on the significance of direct dialogues, stating, “It is meaningful to sit across the table and listen to their concerns, them to listen to our concerns.” This process reflects ongoing progress as both sides strive to find common ground.
Jackson and Engelbert were both actively involved in crafting the previous CBA ratified in 2020, making this round of negotiations particularly critical given the heightened stakes. Jackson stated, “Negotiations last time, that’s how we got it done. We just keep grinding and keep doing the work around the clock.” Her commitment to maintaining productive discussions echoes throughout the negotiations, focusing on addressing concerns and building toward a mutually beneficial outcome.
As the deadline approaches, the urgency surrounding the negotiations escalates. The ability to reach an agreement in this crucial period will determine not only the start of the season but also the future structuring of player compensation and league revenue sharing for years to come.
