"Between now and then, the league needs to hold a two-team expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, more than 100 unrestricted free agents need to sign contracts, and the 2026 rookies need to be drafted to their teams. Most importantly, the league and players need to agree on a collective bargaining agreement -- a process 15 months in the making."
"As the deadline passed on Jan. 9, the sides ushered in a period called "status quo" where the conditions of the 2020 deal remain in effect. In the three weeks since, the stalemate has continued. The Women's National Basketball Players Association is still awaiting an official response from the league since sending it a proposal a month ago. The league believes the proposal didn't warrant a response, since it wasn't that different from the past ones the union has submitted."
The 2026 WNBA season begins May 8. The league must hold a two-team expansion draft for Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo and sign over 100 unrestricted free agents while drafting rookies. A new collective bargaining agreement remains unresolved after 15 months. The Jan. 9 deadline passed and 2020 deal terms are in effect under "status quo." The players' union sent a proposal a month ago and awaits an official league response; the league views it as similar to prior offers and is waiting for a more "realistic" proposal. League plans would raise salaries, tie pay to league growth, and set max salaries above $1 million. Revenue-sharing disagreement is the central obstacle and compromise is necessary before the season.
Read at ESPN.com
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