WNBA labor talks near deadline, but there’s room left for season to start as planned
The WNBA’s negotiations for collective bargaining agreements have intensified as Tuesday’s deadline approaches.
In March alone, the league and the players’ union exchanged three CBA proposals, including two over the weekend.
No details have been shared on either of the two latest offers. The lack of details in the offer suggests the league and union are on a tight deadline, with the 2026 season scheduled to open in 60 days.
The league warned players last month that the scheduled start date would be disrupted if the two sides did not agree on a new agreement on Tuesday.
The tone surrounding the deadline has softened in recent days. Other sources told The Post that if a deal isn’t reached, it doesn’t automatically mean a delayed start to the season. However, several important events must take place before training camp opens on April 19, including the Toronto and Portland expansion drafts, free agency and the college draft.
On the eve of that deadline, there is a lack of where things stand.
The main sticking points that have held back talks until now have not changed. The players’ union is adamant about maintaining league-sponsored housing for all players and is fighting for a share of league and team revenue, while the league seems adamant about giving players more than 70 percent of revenue.
The WNBA’s latest proposal was sent to the union Saturday night — about 24 hours after the WNBPA shared its version. The players’ union has not responded as of Monday afternoon, sources said.
Even if the two sides can agree on a time sheet on Tuesday, lawyers will need about three weeks to put together a formal contract for adoption.
Meanwhile, the WNBA season will continue as it is now as the league and the WNBPA agreed to suspend league business in January.
Once it’s official, the league can move forward with its offseason.
Teams will have to submit their protected player lists for the upcoming drafts in Portland and Toronto. (The rules for the extended draft remain unclear because they are determined by the CBA.)
The WNBA is not expected to schedule events during the Final Four, which runs April 3-5. This means that the shortened WNBA season could begin on April 6.
After the extension period, the qualifying offer period will begin.
In previous years, teams have had 10 days to extend qualifying offers to restricted and restricted free agents and select a primary player in an unrestricted free agent. However, that window could be cut in half.
After that, free agency may begin, with more than 100 players seeking new contracts, including major league stars.
In the regular offseason, free agency begins on Feb. 1 and it can take weeks. For example, despite Breanna Stewart publicly announcing her plans to return to Liberty in 2025, she did not officially sign the contract until March 29.
Some think the shortened free agency window may result in less movement and more players signing one-year deals.
The college draft is scheduled for April 13, and training camp will open a week later.
The Liberty are expected to play their first preseason game against the Fever on April 25 before opening their season on May 8 at the Barclays Center against the Suns.
As long negotiations continue, the windows are getting shorter at various stages of the offseason.
