What's happened
WNBA players and league officials are close to a new collective bargaining agreement, with a March 10 deadline to avoid season delays. Key issues include revenue sharing, housing, and salary caps. Ongoing talks aim to prevent delays to the May 8 season start amid significant player movement potential.
What's behind the headline?
The current negotiations reveal a fundamental clash over revenue sharing, with the league offering 70% of net revenue and the players demanding a share of gross revenue, which is standard in other major sports leagues. The gap of approximately 12.5% in revenue share and the proposed salary cap differences highlight the high stakes for both sides. The league's emphasis on net revenue, which is less favorable to players, suggests a strategic move to limit payouts, while players are pushing for a more equitable share to secure their financial futures. The upcoming deadline increases the risk of a delayed start, which could impact revenue, sponsorships, and fan engagement. The negotiations also have broader implications for gender equity in sports, as a successful deal could set a precedent for fairer compensation and benefits in women's professional sports.
What the papers say
The NY Post reports that league officials emphasized the March 10 deadline, with negotiations focusing on revenue share and housing benefits. The AP News articles detail the ongoing gap between the league's offer of 70% net revenue and the players' demand for 27.5% of gross revenue, along with the importance of housing provisions. Both sources highlight the urgency, with the league warning that delays could push back the season start and impact revenue streams. The AP notes that the league has already allocated $8 million from last season's revenue sharing, but the core dispute over revenue models remains unresolved, risking a strike or season delay if not settled soon.
How we got here
Negotiations between the WNBA and the players' union have been ongoing since the previous CBA expired over 15 months ago. The main sticking points are revenue sharing models, housing benefits, and salary caps. The league's recent proposals include increased salary caps and continued housing support, but disagreements over revenue share percentages remain. The negotiations are critical to avoid delays in the upcoming season, which is scheduled to start on May 8, 2026.
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