The WNBA has granted a 30-day extension to players to prolong negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, as per information from two unnamed sources disclosed to The Associated Press on Tuesday evening.
With the current CBA set to end on Friday, tensions have escalated in recent weeks as both parties strive to reach a new agreement. The league is open to extending the deadline to allow more time for crafting a potentially game-changing deal for player salaries. Back in 2019, the expiration of the previous CBA led to a 60-day extension before the current CBA was eventually ratified in January 2020.
The acceptance of the extension by the union remains uncertain at this point. ESPN was the first to report on the extension offer.
Erin D. Drake, WNBPA senior adviser and legal counsel, mentioned in a podcast on The Athletic that reaching a deal by Friday would require efforts from both sides. The league responded to such comments by emphasizing its commitment to good-faith negotiations.
Meetings have taken place over the past few weeks, including one in New York earlier this month, according to a source familiar with the matter. The players opted out of the current CBA last year in pursuit of various improvements, such as increased revenue sharing, higher salaries, enhanced benefits, and a more flexible salary cap.
Although the WNBA has made offers, they have not met the players’ expectations so far. The exact disparity in salary terms between the sides remains unclear. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed during the WNBA Finals the mutual desire for a deal that significantly boosts salaries and benefits, aiming for a transformative agreement.
The ongoing tensions and negotiations in the WNBA have sparked curiosity. CBC Sports provides a breakdown of the situation between the league and players, shedding light on the current developments in the WNBA.