WNBA Negotiations: Proposals and Critical Deadlines
The WNBA and the players’ union are at a crucial moment in negotiations to define the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). After receiving a proposal from the union, the league responded with its own offer, marking an important step in the conversations. The WNBA’s response comes days before the deadline set by the league, which requires a preliminary agreement to be able to start the season on the scheduled date. The negotiations focus on key aspects, especially the revenue sharing, which has been the main point of disagreement between both parties. The union’s previous proposal requested an average of 26% of gross income during the CBA’s term, including 25% in the first year. The league considered this figure unrealistic. For its part, the WNBA has offered in previous proposals more than 70% of net revenue, with the promise to increase this percentage as the league continues to grow.Caitlin Clark, during the training camp of the United States basketball team, suggested that both sides should stop exchanging proposals and meet in person until an agreement is reached.I don’t understand why we don’t meet in a room and solve it and shake hands. That’s how business is done. 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
Breanna Stewart, the union’s vice president, also supports the idea of meeting in person to expedite negotiations. Stewart will not travel to Puerto Rico with the United States team for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament next week. Instead, she will be available for in-person negotiations in New York. Stewart emphasized the need for an agreement and to find figures that adequately reflect the interests of both parties. If a labor agreement is reached by Tuesday, the signing could occur by the end of the month. According to the calendar, the expansion draft for the new franchises in Portland and Toronto would take place between April 1st and 6th. Free agent qualifying offers, including franchise player tags, would be sent from April 7-8. Teams would then have three days to negotiate with more than 80% of the players who are free agents. The signing period would take place from April 12-18. The training camps would open the next day, and the season could start on May 8. Stewart acknowledges the urgency of reaching a resolution, but also the need for time for subsequent processes.I think it would be great if we all sat in a room until we actually got it. If that means being there for hours and hours, let’s do it. That’s for the good of the player. While a situation like that has never happened before, there’s always a first time for everything.
Breanna Stewart
