The WNBA\u2019s latest collective bargaining proposal, submitted to the players\u2019 union Friday night, did not include a revenue share split beyond 15 percent, sources told SBJ Saturday.<\/p>\n
The WNBPA had waited almost six weeks for a WNBA reply to its request for a 30% share of league and team revenue and a $10M-plus salary cap. Although it was believed the league had previously offered 15%, sources told SBJ it was always less than 15% — and Friday night\u2019s offer similarly does not surpass that number.<\/p>\n
The players have almost unanimously authorized the WNBPA executive committee to strike if it sees fit, and sources said there is a sense that a player picket line could be the next move, possibly as soon as next week at the site of the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n
The WNBPA and the WNBA were not immediately available for comment Saturday. But any executive committee decision to strike would ultimately be made with a recommendation from WNBPA\u2019s staff and counsel.<\/p>\n
Sources have said team executives leaguewide have been aware of the strike scenario and are bracing for perhaps a delay in the 2026 season that is scheduled to begin on May 8. Last week, the union posted an Instagram story about a near players strike at the 1964 All-Star game<\/a>, leading to speculation in league circles that the WNBA players were also close to striking themselves. <\/p>\n \u201cI think that for me personally, like the sooner it gets, the closer it gets to WNBA season, we\u2019re prepared to do it — to not play,\u201d the Liberty\u2019s Breanna Stewart said this past week on Myles Turner\u2019s podcast<\/a>. \u201cBut…we want to play because we know how important it is to be on the court. For a number of reasons — for the people, for the fans, for the city. <\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019ll be something that\u2019s, that\u2019s really tough if push comes to shove because….we\u2019re comparing apples to oranges. The W and the NBA contracts are vastly different. So it\u2019s like, yeah, the top 10, maybe 15 players can survive without a W contract. But the rest it\u2019s like, no, you don\u2019t want to go that much without getting paid. I feel like the PA is doing a great job of making sure that we have like the amenities and the resources, and if we don\u2019t get what we want, we will sit out. But we don\u2019t want to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Sources familiar with the league believe the WNBA has made myriad concessions throughout negotiations, such as a revenue share model that increases player salaries as business grows and by including team and league revenue in the overall pie. <\/p>\n