WNBA Players and League Officials Make Progress in Collective Bargaining Talks WNBA players and league officials have made significant strides in their collective bargaining talks, with both sides expressing a desire to finalize a deal to commence the season. After two consecutive marathon sessions totaling over twenty hours, the group exchanged seven proposals, with the league submitting its latest offer late Wednesday night. This proposal includes raising the salary cap to approximately six million two hundred thousand dollars for the first year, a substantial increase from previous offers. Union president Nneka Ogwumike and star players like Breanna Stewart reported a growing sense of momentum from being in the same room as league officials. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert described her sides proposal as historic, highlighting substantial gains in pay and benefits while maintaining the leagues financial health. Owners and former players echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the urgency of reaching an agreement. Despite the progress, several key hurdles remain, including revenue sharing, player housing, franchise tags, and retiree benefits. The union is pushing for a larger share of gross revenue, while the league is resistant to these figures. Talks are set to continue on Thursday, with a handshake deal needed soon to meet the May eighth season start. Following this, expansion drafts and free agency could commence in early April. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/36e61cad24e1ecc0

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