WNBA CBA Talks: Revenue Sharing and Housing Remain Key Hurdles

NEW YORK (AP) — Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and the players’ union continue, with revenue sharing and team-funded housing emerging as the primary sticking points. The two sides met for a fifth consecutive day on Saturday, aiming to reach a deal before the start of the upcoming season.

Key Issues in Negotiation

According to Nneka Ogwumike, president of the players’ union, resolving the issues of revenue sharing and housing are the most critical tasks remaining. “It’s very important for us to nail those two things down which is I think the biggest thing on the agenda today,” Ogwumike stated during a break in bargaining sessions.

Revenue Sharing

The largest obstacle to an agreement is revenue sharing. The league has consistently proposed using net revenue – revenue after expenses – while the union advocates for gross revenue – revenue before expenses. Initially, the union sought 40% of gross revenue, later reducing their request to 26% during the current bargaining session. The league has offered more than 70% of net revenue to the players.

Player Housing

Housing benefits for players are also a significant point of contention. Teams have historically covered player housing costs, and the league seeks to modify this arrangement in the new CBA. Ogwumike emphasized the importance of housing support, particularly for WNBA players. “Housing is big, you grasp, and housing is really big. And I think that perhaps people understanding this negotiation or like learning about it has really shown like how meaningful something like a housing benefit is, especially for the women in the W.”

Proposed Housing Solutions

The union initially requested that teams continue to cover housing costs for the first few years of the new agreement, with a transition to franchises no longer being required to pay for housing for players earning near the maximum salary in the final two years. The league countered with a proposal to continue covering housing for all players in the upcoming season, then shift to only covering housing for rookies and players earning the minimum salary. The league also proposed covering housing for the two developmental players added to each team for the duration of the CBA.

Timeline and Potential Disruptions

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert indicated that a deal needs to be reached by Monday to avoid potential disruptions to the season, which is scheduled to begin on May 8. Engelbert acknowledged some flexibility in the timeline, but stressed the importance of finalizing the agreement to ensure the preseason schedule, including games on April 25 featuring Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever against the New York Liberty and Seattle against Golden State, can proceed as planned.

Beyond the CBA, the league also faces tasks such as an expansion draft for Portland and Toronto, and free agency affecting 80% of the league, as well as the upcoming college draft.