WNBA Halts Business: League and Players Association Agree to Unexpected Moratorium

Published 6 hours ago2 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
WNBA Halts Business: League and Players Association Agree to Unexpected Moratorium

The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) have reached an agreement on a moratorium for all league business.

This decision comes as a direct consequence of the two parties failing to finalize a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or an extension of the previous one by the set deadline.

According to ESPN, sources indicate that negotiations are still underway, though they are characterized by a bitter impasse, as both sides strive towards what they acknowledge will be a transformative deal for the league.

A stylized illustration of a basketball player in mid-air. Image credit: Tom Agency

A central point of contention in these ongoing discussions revolves around the structure of a revenue-sharing system, where the sides remain significantly far apart.

With the prior agreement officially expired, the WNBA entered a 'status quo' period, meaning the working conditions stipulated by the former CBA are temporarily maintained.

League front offices had been advised to prepare to extend qualifying offers and core designations to players under the terms of the now-expired agreement.

Image credit: Britannica

However, a widespread expectation within the league was that players would be reluctant to sign any new contracts while negotiations for a new salary system, anticipated to include substantial increases in compensation, are still active.

This sentiment is particularly relevant given that all but two of the league's veteran players are currently free agents in anticipation of a new CBA.

The newly agreed-upon moratorium effectively puts a halt to these initial stages of free agency, preventing teams from delivering qualifying offers and core designations to players during this critical negotiation period.

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