The Women's National Basketball Players Association and the WNBA are engaged in intense collective bargaining negotiations, now in their fourth day, aimed at securing a new agreement.

Discussions have been held for double-digit hours daily since Tuesday, with progress made on ancillary issues but significant hurdles remaining.

WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson emphasized that "transformational remains the goal" for the players. Both sides confirmed that continuous dialogue this week has produced some movement, though the most critical issues are yet to be resolved.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert highlighted the urgency of reaching an agreement by Monday, stating it is essential to avoid disruptions to the upcoming preseason calendar.

Key upcoming events include the expansion draft, free agency, the college draft, training camp on April 19, and first preseason games on April 25.

A key point of contention is the structure of player compensation, with the union insisting on a system tied to revenue in a meaningful way.

The WNBA proposed players receive over 70% of net revenue, while the union's last known offer requested 26% of gross revenue over the agreement's lifetime.

The union previously expressed strong opposition to a league proposal offering less than 15% of gross revenue, while the WNBA has labeled the union's demands as "unrealistic."

The league projected potential losses of hundreds of millions of dollars under the players' proposed terms.

The two sides have also exchanged differing Year 1 salary cap figures, with the league proposing $6.2 million and the players suggesting approximately $9.5 million.

Jackson acknowledged the ongoing challenge, stating, "Now we have to continue to do the dance and see where that nets out."

WNBPA Vice President Napheesa Collier joined the in-person bargaining on Friday evening, though other executive committee members Brianna Turner and Alysha Clark had departed earlier in the week.

Engelbert underscored the value of direct engagement, noting that sitting across the table and listening to concerns represents meaningful progress.