The WNBA and the players' union are far apart in collective bargaining negotiations, but the league has issued an ultimatum to the union: An agreement must be reached by March 10 to not impact the regular season. Each team's 44-game slate is scheduled to begin on May 8 or 9. Earlier key dates are the draft on April 13 and the training camp beginning April 19.
The league also must conduct a player draft for two new teams for the 2026 season — the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire – bringing the league total to 15 teams.
The two sides aren't even speaking the same language. The WNBA has offered 27.5 percent of gross revenue (down from 31 percent in its previous offer) with the first year only at 25 percent. The league wants a $5.65 million salary cap, a minimum salary of $250,000, and a maximum salary of $1.3 million (which would include revenue sharing). The WNBPA wants 70 percent of net revenue, considered to be more than double the amount in dollars than what the WNBA is offering, and the union wants a salary cap of $9.5 million in 2026. The union has not made a proposal for a minimum salary but want the maximum salary to be $1 million base.
My take: If the leagure didn't start on time, would you even know? That's the league's biggest problem.
THE ASYLUM
WNBA sets deal deadline
The WNBA and the players' union are far apart in collective bargaining negotiations, but the league has issued an ultimatum to the union: An agreement must be reached by March 10 to not impact the regular season. Each team's 44-game slate is scheduled to begin on May 8 or 9. Earlier key dates are the draft on April 13 and the training camp beginning April 19.
The league also must conduct a player draft for two new teams for the 2026 season — the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire – bringing the league total to 15 teams.
The two sides aren't even speaking the same language. The WNBA has offered 27.5 percent of gross revenue (down from 31 percent in its previous offer) with the first year only at 25 percent. The league wants a $5.65 million salary cap, a minimum salary of $250,000, and a maximum salary of $1.3 million (which would include revenue sharing). The WNBPA wants 70 percent of net revenue, considered to be more than double the amount in dollars than what the WNBA is offering, and the union wants a salary cap of $9.5 million in 2026. The union has not made a proposal for a minimum salary but want the maximum salary to be $1 million base.
My take: If the leagure didn't start on time, would you even know? That's the league's biggest problem.
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