NEW YORK — The WNBA and players’ union are scheduled to meet Tuesday to continue discussions on a new collective bargaining agreement, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.
The meeting took place on a day when the league said it would need at least a handshake agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement to start the season as scheduled.
The two sides exchanged proposals over the weekend and the league sent its proposal on Saturday, officials said. It is unknown what changes the federation and union have made in their latest proposals. Revenue sharing is a major sticking point between the two sides.
Time is running out. The league said it needs a contract by Tuesday to get it signed by the end of the month. Under that schedule, new franchise expansion drafts for Portland and Toronto will be held between April 1 and 6, according to a timeline obtained by the AP.
Free agency offers, including the Franchise Player tag, will be sent out April 7-8. Teams then have three days to negotiate with more than 80% of their players who are free agents. The signing period runs from April 12th to 18th.
Training camp opens the next day and the season could begin May 8.
But for that to happen, both sides will need to find a revenue-sharing model. The union’s previous proposal from a week ago called for an average of 26% of gross profits (profits before expenses) over the CBA period. This includes only 25% in the first year of the new deal. The league said that number was unrealistic.
Several recent offers from the WNBA have offered more than 70% of net revenue, and that figure has only grown as the league continues to grow.
The meeting comes three days after Caitlin Clark said at USA Basketball training camp that the two sides should stop sending proposals and instead meet in person until a deal is completed.
“I don’t understand why we don’t just go into our rooms, do our ironing, and shake hands.” she said “That’s what business is all about. Look each other in the eye, shake hands, respect both sides. That’s what I want to see.”
Coalition Vice President Breanna Stewart agreed with Clark’s idea.
“I think it would be nice if we could all sit in one room until we actually get the job done,” the New York Liberty star said. “If that means sitting there for hours, let’s do it. It’s better for the players. That’s never happened before, but there’s a first time for everything.”
