The WNBA made concessions in two areas in its latest collective bargaining agreement proposal, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA Today Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations.
Coming off a three-hour meeting on Monday in New York, the WNBA promised it would have a counter to the proposal the players’ union submitted six weeks ago. That offer came on Friday evening.
In the Friday proposal, the WNBA made a concession on team-provided housing, the person with knowledge of the situation said. In the revised agreement, one bedroom apartments will be available for players making the minimum salary. The two developmental players on each roster would be provided with studio apartments.
The players’ union also voiced setting a standard for team facilities that would be codified in the new CBA, the person with knowledge of the situation said.
Nothing has changed in terms of revenue sharing or player salaries. The WNBA is offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue. The players’ union has asked for 30% of gross revenue. The salary cap would be $5.65 million per year, rising with league revenues.
The WNBA offer continues to include a maximum $1 million base salary, with a projected revenue-sharing component that raises players’ max total earnings to more than $1.3 million in 2026. The league’s maximum salary would grow to nearly $2 million over the life of the agreement, which would end in 2031. The minimum salary would be more than $250,000 and average salary more than $530,000.
The players’ union plans to meet with leadership to review and assess the league’s counterproposal, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
The regular-season is supposed to tipoff May 8. But before that can happen the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will have an expansion draft. Free agency and the WNBA draft also need to take place.
WNBA players authorized the union executive committee to ‘call a strike when necessary’ in December.
‘Having the strike on the table is something that we’re very much aware of, but there’s so many more conversations that have to happen,’ Ogwumike told the AP on Friday. ‘You know, we’re not just going to say, ‘Hey, today’s the day (we’ll strike).’ You know, I think that’s what we’re demonstrating right now is negotiating in good faith.’
