WNBPA, WNBA confirm progress as CBA negotiations continue

NEW YORK – WNBPA executive director Terry Carmichael Jackson said Monday that collective bargaining talks are making progress but that a delay to the 2026 season cannot be ruled out as WNBA labor talks reached their seventh day in midtown Manhattan.

Jackson told reporters, “There are certain deadlines, arbitrarily, that the league has set, and then there’s a season schedule that has its own milestones. Absolutely, we recognize that, and we respect them.” “But do we also recognize that this is a big-time conversation, and therefore may require adjustments? Absolutely. And more importantly, the players recognize it, understand it, and are as prepared for it as they always have been.”

The WNBPA and WNBA begin bargaining session on Monday at 2 p.m. ET. They have spent more than 70 hours since last Tuesday working toward a new collective bargaining agreement that is intended to be “transformative” for the players and the league.

WNBPA outside counsel Deb Willig told reporters that, for the first time this week, she would say progress has been made. Asked if he thought the term sheet could be completed in the next 15-20 hours, Willig replied, “I hope so.”

“I think we wondered whether we would be able to achieve that goal [of achieving a transformational deal] Or fall short,” Jackson said. “I believe this is a fight that is worthwhile [the players]And they’re committed to it and to the end, and they’ll achieve that goal.”

However, Jackson said there is still work to be done. When WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike Speaking to reporters on Saturday, he said the biggest things to reduce were revenue share and housing.

“We’re still working. We’re still fighting,” Jackson said. “There are still some things – big issues, things – that we have to deal with.”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert echoed those sentiments of progress while speaking with reporters Monday morning.

“We’re working as hard as we can to get this done as quickly as possible,” Engelbert said. “We’re going to keep moving forward. We’re going to get this deal done.”

“The fact is they don’t want to stop, both sides – it’s not just the league side, it’s the union too – they want to get it done,” he said. connecticut sun Chairwoman Jane Rizzotti, who serves on the Labor Relations Committee. “I think it’s admirable to know that they’re paying attention to the fact that this is important and time is of the essence and we need a season.”

Even if the two sides reach an agreement soon, it is unclear whether the schedule for the 2026 season will already be affected. Training camp is scheduled to begin on April 19, with preseason games scheduled to begin on April 25, and the regular season scheduled to begin on May 8. Before all of this, a college draft and two-team expansion draft must be held, as well as free agency for over 100 players.

When Engelbart was asked if a change could be announced in training camp soon, he said, “I wish I knew the answer to that.”

Engelbert has consistently stressed the importance of striking a deal as quickly as possible, even saying on Friday that “we have to get it done by Monday.”