"The WNBA's core player designation is akin to the NFL franchise tag. A team can 'core' a player to prevent them from becoming an unrestricted free agent by retaining their exclusive rights."
"The core designation gives a team exclusive negotiating rights to a player and comes with a baseline contract of a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth the supermax ($1.4 million in 2026), though the player can negotiate different terms."
"The core designation can also be a way for a team to prevent a player from walking in free agency without getting anything in return as it ultimately executes a sign-and-trade with the star."
The WNBA and the players' association reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement on March 18. This agreement necessitates an expansion draft, free agency, and the WNBA draft before the season starts on May 8. Free agency is currently underway, with teams sending out qualifying offers. The Las Vegas Aces are finalizing a one-year contract for Jackie Young, while the Dallas Wings traded Diamond Miller to the Connecticut Sun. Ten teams have extended core qualifying offers to players, which allows teams to retain exclusive rights to key players.
Read at ESPN.com
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