Sources: WNBA, players’ union meeting Monday could be ‘pivotal’

WNBA and WNBPA will meet Monday morning in New York for their first individual bargaining session involving players since October, sources close to the process told ESPN, a meeting many believe could be “crucial” in whether a new collective bargaining agreement is reached or players decide to strike.

Sources said the union has been frustrated that the league has not formally responded to its most recent proposal, submitted around Christmas. But sources said a strong debate has emerged within the seven-member executive committee, which was authorized by the WNBPA player body in December to call a strike “if necessary.”

According to multiple sources, one group says it is time to fundamentally change the league’s revenue sharing model and that players should not settle until they feel comfortable with the new system.

Another group says that although there are still some matters to be negotiated, players have already gained significant ground and are closer to agreement – ​​and less inclined to strike.

Either way, both groups were eager to hear directly from the owners rather than through the middlemen and lawyers separating the parties.

WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumikefirst vice president kelsey plum and vice president Nafeesa Collier willing to attend personally, and the Vice President Breanna Stewart She said she would participate by videoconferencing, an option for owners and other executive council members who cannot attend the gathering in New York.

“At the end of the day, we’re human. I think face-to-face conversations go a long way,” Plum said. “Going into this meeting, I’m excited for the opportunity to be present in person with other players who are really invested in this [executive committee] And stuff, and then obviously the league is making a commitment to be there.”

Stewart also pushed for an in-person meeting, telling ESPN last month, “At some point, enough is enough. Personally, I want to be in the room and talk about actual events. These meetings get too carried away with language, verbiage and context. We’re missing the point.”

When he made his debut as a featured contributor on NBC’s “Sunday Night Basketball.” indiana fever star Caitlin Clark Also talked about the status of talks.

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s a big moment just for the WNBA, I think for all of women’s sports, I think it’s one of the biggest moments we’ve ever had,” Clark said on the broadcast. “So I’m pretty confident we’re going to do something, and that’s because of the product we’ve put on the floor in this moment. So we need to be able to keep that going.

“I know everyone is working really hard. There’s a meeting [Monday] This is extremely important, and I really believe we’re going to do something here in the next few weeks. …There are a lot of boxes we still need to check. We’ve added two new teams, will have more players than ever before and then we have to go into free agency, then also have a normal draft. “There is still a lot of work to be done, but I am confident that both sides will reach an agreement soon.”