{"id":537198,"date":"2026-03-15T03:23:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T03:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/537198\/"},"modified":"2026-03-15T03:23:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T03:23:18","slug":"wnba-faces-critical-deadline-as-ongoing-collective-bargaining-talks-threaten-to-disrupt-schedule-commish-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/537198\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBA faces critical deadline as ongoing collective bargaining talks threaten to disrupt schedule, commish says"},"content":{"rendered":"

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert<\/a> acknowledged progress in ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players union but also outlined a deadline she hopes a deal can be reached by.<\/p>\n

Engelbert said the timeline is aimed at avoiding disruption to the league\u2019s<\/a> spring schedule as training camp and preseason games approach.<\/p>\n

“We have to get it done by Monday. I should say, we have to get it done without disrupting some part of the fact that we’ve got to run this two-team expansion [draft],” Engelbert said.<\/p>\n

“We’ve got to get expansion going. We’ve got to get free agency going. We’ve got to get the college draft, which is now a month from today.”<\/p>\n

Click Here For More Sports Coverage On Foxnews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Cathy<\/p>\n

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks during a news conference before the WNBA All-Star Game July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana.<\/p>\n

(AP Newsroom)<\/p>\n

Training camp is scheduled to start on April 19, followed by the start of preseason action April 25.<\/p>\n

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Negotiations have reportedly stretched for hours each day over the past several days.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson and Engelbert both acknowledged positive steps in recent days, particularly on ancillary issues.<\/p>\n

\"WNBA<\/p>\n

A basketball goes through a hoop during warmups before a game between the Seattle Storm and the Connecticut Sun at Climate Pledge Arena June 20, 2023, in Seattle.<\/p>\n

However, Engelbert noted that both sides “still have a lot of items to get done.”<\/p>\n

Wnba Commissioner Denies Alleged Statement Saying Caitlin Clark Should Be ‘Grateful’ To League For Success<\/a><\/p>\n

Jackson struck a cautiously optimistic tone.<\/p>\n

“I think the league, and particularly the commissioner and her team, have heard that transformational remains the goal,” Jackson told reporters. “As long as movement keeps us going in a forward direction, then I think we’re good.”<\/p>\n

The two parties have yet to reach an agreement on a new revenue-sharing system.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A WNBA logo on the court before a game between the Connecticut Sun and the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena June 25, 2025, in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

Different proposals on systems for player salaries have been floated by the league and the union. The WNBA\u2019s proposal calls for players to earn an average of more than 70% of net revenue, while the union\u2019s most recent proposal seeks 26% of gross revenue over the life of the agreement, according to ESPN.<\/p>\n

The union reportedly balked at a previous league proposal that called for players to receive less than 15% of gross revenue. The league argued that some of the union\u2019s proposals could result in millions of dollars in lost revenue.<\/p>\n

Napheesa Collier<\/a>, the WNBPA vice president, joined the in-person bargaining Friday evening. Other executive committee members, Brianna Turner and Alysha Clark, were present earlier in the week.<\/p>\n

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Original article source: WNBA faces critical deadline as ongoing collective bargaining talks threaten to disrupt schedule, commish says<\/a><\/p>\n