WNBA, players' union return to CBA talks after a 16-hour marathon session

The WNBA and its players' union were back negotiating for a new collective bargaining agreement Friday for the fourth straight day, hours after a 16-hour marathon session ended.

The two sides have spent nearly 40 hours discussing a new CBA since first getting together in-person Tuesday — the day the league had said there would need to be at least a handshake agreement for the season to start on time.

Thursday's long session spent more time focused on other items besides revenue sharing — the biggest sticking point between the two sides — according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.

The WNBA’s negotiation drama, explained

The union leadership left negotiations early Friday morning around 3 a.m. EDT and the league departed soon after. They were back talking again by 11 a.m.

Revenue sharing has been the biggest difference on the two sides.

In the final proposal from Wednesday night, the league increased its salary cap offer for the first year to $6.2 million — up from $5.75 million in previous negotiations, a different person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press. That person also spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Wednesday that the last proposal from that night was a "real historic and transformational deal" for the players.

"Huge gains and salaries, benefits, everything you're seeing, but beyond that when you see the whole thing, huge, huge benefits," she said. "We're proud of the deal we have on the table. I think it's, again, huge gains for the players, while again, balancing that with the health of the league."

Last