02/21/26 06:40:00
Printable Page
02/21 18:39 CST WNBA offers new CBA proposal that includes paying housing for
this season, AP source says
WNBA offers new CBA proposal that includes paying housing for this season, AP
source says
By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
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 not really 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 negotiations.
In the league's new proposal, which came three days after the union had given
the WNBA an offer, the teams would pay for all housing 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'd also pay for the housing of the two developmental players that teams
would be allowed to have.
The union had asked for teams to continue paying for housing for players in the
first few years of the new agreement, but in the last two years of the CBA the
franchises would no longer have to pay for housing for players that are making
near the maximum salary.
The union in its offer earlier this week asked for an average of 27.5% of the
gross revenue --- revenue before expenses --- over the course of the CBA. That
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%.
The league said at that point that the revenue sharing percentage remained
unrealistic and would cause "hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our
teams," the WNBA said in a statement.
The WNBA's proposal would give players more than 70% of net revenue. That would
be their take of the profits after expenses are paid. Those expenses would
include upgraded facilities, charter flights, five-star hotels, medical
services, security and arenas.
If a new CBA isn't agreed upon soon, it could delay the start of the 2026
season. It's already delayed the expansion draft for Toronto and Portland and
the start of a free agency frenzy.
"We still need to complete two drafts and free agency before the start of
training camp and 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 win
for current players and generations to come."
The previous CBA was announced in the middle of January 2020, a month after it
had been agreed to. It could easily take two months from when a new CBA is
reached to get to the start of free agency, which was supposed to begin last
month. With a massive salary raise expected in a new CBA, 80% of players in the
league are free agents this offseason, which makes this the biggest opportunity
for player movement in the history of the WNBA.
A delay would hurt both sides. The season is supposed to start May 8 and every
game missed is lost revenue, sponsorships, television money and fan support.
___
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
|
