As Toronto waits for its WNBA team, the NBA commissioner urged both sides to pick up the pace to avoid a work stoppage.<\/p>\n
Author of the article:<\/p>\n
![\"Associated](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/a78256cb32a2d8681dc2df9afa609931.png\")
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Associated Press<\/p>\n
Greg Beacham<\/p>\n
Published Feb 14, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) \u2014 NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has called on the WNBA and its players\u2019 association to increase their urgency to get a labour deal done in time for the new season to begin on schedule in early May.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Silver didn\u2019t propose a firm deadline for a WNBA collective bargaining agreement Saturday in his annual address during NBA all-star weekend, but he urged both sides to pick up the pace to avoid a work stoppage.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I\u2019d love to accomplish is sort of putting pressure on everybody,\u201d Silver said. \u201cI\u2019ve been through so many cycles of collective bargaining, and often things tend to get done at the 11th hour. We are awfully close to the 11th now when it comes to bargaining.\u201d<\/p>\n The WNBA delivered its latest proposal to the players\u2019 union a week ago and offered small increases in revenue sharing along with concessions on housing issues, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press last week. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.<\/p>\n The league and the players are still not close on the main issue of revenue sharing. The players want roughly 30% of the gross revenue, while the league has offered over 70% of net revenue _ after expenses that include upgraded facilities, charter flights, five-star hotels, medical services, security and arenas.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Silver has already said WNBA players will be getting a \u201cbig increase\u201d in pay from the next CBA.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m encouraged there has been more back and forth over the past few weeks,\u201d Silver said. \u201cI think there\u2019s been more direct engagement from players and team owners. I have not been at the table, but I\u2019m very involved behind the scenes. I want to play whatever role would be most productive in getting a deal done. But again, I think we need to now move toward the next level sense of urgency and not lose momentum in terms of the amazing amount of progress we\u2019ve seen in women\u2019s basketball.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"NBA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0215silversmall-e1771122297222.jpg\")
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks at a news conference during 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at Intuit Dome on Feb. 14, 2026 in Inglewood, Calif. Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun \/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.5.4\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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