Meetings will continue today between the WNBA and WNBPA. This was communicated to reporters yesterday/this AM and reiterated to me just now by multiple sources.
Yesterday both sides were bargaining for roughly 12 hours with no deal reached, yet.
frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-dea...
The WNBA and WNBPA's marathon meeting ended roughly 12 hours after it began with no deal yet in place.
Where things stand and what was said by commissioner Cathy Engelbert and WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson:
frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-dea...
At roughly 5:20 AM commissioner Cathy Engelbert and WNBA staff left the Langham, marking the end of this marathon negotiation session.
that balances all the things we've been trying to balance with continued investment by our owners, etc. So, we're working hard towards that, and we still have work to do."
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke to reporters, more than 12 hours after negotiations began. Her tone was very balanced as she assessed where things stand:
"It's complex. But we're working towards a win, win deal like we've been saying, transformational deal for these players...
WNBPA staff left the Langham just before 5AM, rounding out a nearly 12 hour bargaining session.
WNBA staff is still on site.
Heading into the 12th hour, union staff and league staff are still meeting.
Asked if there was any indication a deal would be reached in the coming days, she said “you know, the only thing I’m going to say on that is conversations are continuing as they need to be.”
WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson spoke to media roughly 35 minutes ago re: the last 10+ hours of negotiations.
When asked how she would describe negotiations she said “I would describe the last 10, 11 hours as a lot of conversation going in the right direction.”
Apologies, I've done a poor job updating everyone over here.
The WNBA told players on Feb. 23 that a deal needed to be agreed to by March 10 or the 30th season would face delays. Both sides are actively working to reach a deal.
frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-dea...
bringing some late updates to Bluesky:
We are going on eight hours of negotiations between the WNBA and WNBPA. I'm told no one from either side has left tonight's meeting. Attendees arrived at 5PM.
The stakeout has included multiple drop offs from kind sources, food, coffee, sweets.
The WNBA told players on Feb. 23 that a deal needed to be agreed to by March 10 or the 30th season would face delays.
That deadline is here, now what?
frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-dea...
During USAB availability, Breanna Stewart said the EC met yesterday but did not provide specifics re: when the next counter proposal will be sent to the league.
Statement from the WNBPA:
“The WNBPA is aware of a situation involving Arike Ogunbowale and are gathering additional information. We will continue to support Arike as her Union and remain in contact with her representatives.”
Arike "is home safely," per Unrivaled spokesperson.
Statement from Unrivaled re: Arike Ogunbowale:
“The league is aware of an incident involving Arike Ogunbowale and we are in the process of gathering additional information. We’re in contact with Arike and her representatives.”
Statement from the Wings re: Arike Ogunbowale:
“The Wings are aware of an incident involving Arike Ogunbowale and are in the process of gathering more information. Further comments will be provided once we have more details.”
I went to WNBPA HQ to interview executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson about the split amongst members.
“The one thing I said to [the players] is they have one tool and their tool is to out wait you."
More from that conversation & the state of the union: frontofficesports.com/wnba-union-d...
Statement from the WNBPA executive committee:
Breanna Stewart tells the media at Unrivaled shootaround that the WNBA submitted a counterproposal last night.
"We are in a revenue [share] so no revenue, no revenue to share.”
On the state of CBA negotiations, WNBPA VP Kelsey Plum said: “I want to play, and players want to play. Obviously we're going to continue to negotiate and do everything we possibly can to get this done in a timely fashion. But a strike would be the worst thing for both sides..."
The union submitted a counterproposal to the league Fri., a source familiar with negotiations tells me.
Slight move on revenue sharing as the players are now seeking a 26% share of total league and team rev over the life of the deal. Salary cap proposal remains roughly $9.45 million.
Story TK.
A tense WNBPA meeting was followed by a letter from executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson to players and another from a group of more than 10 agents to union leadership.
This is the latest in CBA negotiations:
frontofficesports.com/wnba-union-m...
The WNBPA held a virtual meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the state of CBA negotiations, the tone of which became tense almost immediately.
Among the reasons for that tension, per sources, is the approach to negotiations and a potential strike.
frontofficesports.com/wnba-union-m...
When the WNBA & WNBPA finish at the bargaining table and basketball returns, the league should have its first million-dollar player.
But how will the league proposed max salaries (a supermax at 20% and a standard max at 17.5%) impact the rest of the roster?
frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-max...
The WNBA is claiming the union's latest proposal will result in "hundreds of millions of dollars" in losses for teams.
But the league's complicated ownership structure and distribution of revenue among stakeholders bring those claims into question.
frontofficesports.com/wnba-owners-...
The WNBA is still proposing a salary cap of $5.65 million in its latest, according to a source familiar with negotiations. Additionally, based on league projections players would still not receive more than 15% of total revenue during the agreement.
frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-no-...
The WNBA sent a counterproposal to the players on Friday night, a source confirmed to me.
This is in response to the WNBPA’s submitted on Tuesday seeking a salary cap below $9.5 million and 25% share of total league rev in year 1.
