NEW YORK — A person who knows about the talks told The Associated Press that the WNBA Players' Association offered the WNBA a counterproposal for a new collective bargaining agreement on Tuesday. This proposal included some compromises on housing and revenue sharing.
The person asked to remain anonymous because the talks were so private.
The union now wants 27.5% of the gross revenue, which is the money that comes in before expenses, during the length of the CBA. In the first year of the new deal, that would only be 25%. The union had been asking for an average of more than 30% in its last offer.
The league's proposal from almost two weeks ago included a little increase in the amount of money it would share with players, which would give them more than 70% of net revenue. That would be the money they get after paying their bills. Those costs would cover better facilities, charter flights, five-star hotels, medical care, security, and arenas.
The WNBA said in a statement, "The Players Association's latest proposal is still not realistic and would cost our teams hundreds of millions of dollars."
"We still have to finish two drafts and free agency before training camp starts, and time is running out." We think that the WNBA's plan would be a great win for current players and players in the future.
The insider claimed that the union had made a counteroffer on housing to the WNBA's last offer. In the first couple years of the new deal, teams would still have to pay for players' housing. But in the last two years of the accord, teams wouldn't have to pay for housing for players who are making close to the maximum salary.
The league had been giving players who were on minimum salary contracts and rookies in their first season a place to live for three years. The team would pay for their one-bedroom flats. That would be the case for the first three years of the new CBA. Players would have to pay for their own housing after that.
Also, players who were traded throughout the season would have their lodgings taken care of. The two developing players that teams would add this year would obtain studio apartments paid for by the team.
The latest offer was initially reported by ESPN.
Union president Nneka Ogwumike talked about how crucial housing was to the players in an interview earlier this month.
"One of the biggest things is housing. "It's a matter of safety and efficiency—being able to get from home to the practice facility to the arena," she said. "Knowing where all the players are." It's something that has always been offered. To be honest, I think it's probably the best thing that's happened to us as professional athletes.
Ogwumike claimed that the union has come up with ways for the players to pay for the lodging with their portion of the money made.
Adam Silver, the NBA's commissioner, told the WNBA and the union over the weekend that they needed to work harder to get a labor deal in time for the start of the new season in early May.
Silver stated, "I'm glad there has been more back and forth in the last few weeks." "I think players and team owners have become more directly involved. I haven't been at the table, but I'm highly involved in the background. I want to do whatever it takes to get a deal done. But I think we need to step up the sense of urgency and not squander the momentum we've built up in women's basketball. We've made so much progress.
The start of the 2026 season could be pushed back if a new CBA isn't reached soon. It has already pushed out the expansion draft for Portland and Toronto.
A month after it was agreed upon, the last CBA was made public in the middle of January 2020. It could take up to two months for free agency to start when a new CBA is negotiated. Free agency was meant to start last month. This is the biggest chance for players to move around in the history of the WNBA. 80% of players in the league are free agents this offseason, and a new CBA is expected to provide them a huge compensation increase.
A delay would be bad for both sides. The season is slated to start on May 8. If any games are missed, the team will lose money from ticket sales, sponsorships, TV deals, and fan support.
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