WNBA, players’ union reach agreement in principle on new CBA

NEW YORK — After a chronic labor battle, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association have agreed in principle to a new collective bargaining agreement simply 51 days earlier than the league’s thirtieth season is about to tip.

“We have aligned on key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement together,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned in an announcement early Wednesday morning.

The deal comes 17 months after the gamers opted out of their earlier agreement and 5 months after the earlier deal was initially set to run out, with talks usually occasions turning into contentious.

But on the heels of a week-long stretch of marathon bargaining periods, the league and gamers’ union got here to a tentative agreement on a transformational deal that — for the primary time in WNBA historical past — ties its wage system to income development, and is predicted to supply the league’s first $1 million salaries.

The agreement is anticipated to mirror the league’s skyrocketing development and recognition, with viewership, attendance and funding reaching historic ranges in the previous few years.

Details of the agreement have but to be shared, however it’s anticipated to additionally improve varied participant advantages, codify constitution journey and set up different skilled requirements.

The agreement is pending ratification by the gamers in addition to the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors.

This would be the sixth CBA in league historical past following offers in 1999, 2003, 2008, 2014 and 2020.

Training camp is slated to start April 19, adopted by preseason video games starting April 25 and the common season beginning May 8.