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The current CBA is set to expire on Friday and tensions have
been rising in recent weeks as the sides try to work toward a
new deal. The league is willing to push back the deadline,
according to the people who spoke on condition of anonymity
because no official announcement has been made.
An extension would give both sides more time to come up with a
new deal that would be transformational for the players in terms
of salary. In 2019, when the last CBA deal had expired, the
sides agreed to a 60-day extension and eventually ratified the
current CBA in January 2020.
It’s unclear if the union will accept the extension.
ESPN was the first to report the extension offer.
WNBPA senior advisor and legal counsel Erin D. Drake said on a
podcast published by The Athletic that it “takes two to tango”
and a deal wouldn't be reached by Friday.
The league responded with a statement rebuking any notion it
wasn't operating in good faith.
“We urge the Players Association to spend less time
disseminating public misinformation and more time joining us in
constructive engagement across the table,” the statement said.
The sides have had meetings over the past few weeks, including
once in New York earlier this month, according to a person
familiar with the situation. The person spoke to the AP on
condition of anonymity because details about the meeting were
not publicly discussed.
The players exercised their right to opt out of the current CBA
last year with hopes of getting, among other things, increased
revenue sharing, higher salaries, improved benefits and a softer
salary cap.
The WNBA’s offers to this point have clearly not been to the
players’ liking, although it is unclear how far apart the sides
are in terms of salary parameters. WNBA Commissioner Cathy
Engelbert said during the WNBA Finals that the league — like the
players — wants a “transformative deal” done with significant
increases to salary and benefits.
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