NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA sent a counterproposal to its players’ union on Friday for a new collective bargaining agreement that included continuing to pay for housing for all players this season, but without actually changing its previous revenue-sharing offer, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.
Advertisement
In the new league proposal, arrived three days after the union made an offer to the WNBAteams would pay for all accommodations this season. Then teams would pay for housing for players on minimum-salary contracts as well as rookies in their first season, the person said.
They would also pay for housing for the two developmental players teams would be allowed to have.
The union had asked teams to continue paying for player housing during the first years of the new agreement, but in the final two years of the CBA, franchises would no longer have to pay for housing for players who earn near the maximum salary.
The union, in its offer earlier this week, asked for an average of 27.5% of gross revenues – income before expenses – over the CBA. This would include only 25% in the first year of the new deal. In its previous offer, the union had asked for an average of more than 30%.
Advertisement
The league said at the time that the revenue sharing percentage remained unrealistic and would result in “hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for our teams,” the WNBA said in a statement.
The WNBA’s proposal would give players more than 70% of net revenue. This would be their share of the profits after expenses are paid. These expenses would include facility upgrades, charter flights, five-star hotels, medical services, security and arenas.
If a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached soon, it could delay the start of the 2026 season. That has already delayed Toronto and Portland’s expansion draft and the start of a free agency frenzy.
“We still need to complete two drafts and free agency before training camp begins and we are running out of time,” the league said in a statement earlier this week. “We believe the WNBA’s proposal would result in a huge victory for current players and future generations.”
Advertisement
The previous collective agreement was announced in mid-January 2020, a month after its approval. It could easily take two months from the time a new collective bargaining agreement is reached to the start of free agency, which was supposed to start last month. With a massive pay raise expected in the new CBA, 80% of the league’s players are free agents this offseason, making it the largest player movement opportunity in WNBA history.
A delay would harm both parties. The season is supposed to start May 8 and every missed match represents a loss of revenue, sponsorships, television money and fan support.
___
