Where things stand as WNBA deal pushes toward finish line

The marathon WNBA collective bargaining agreement negotiations are stretching into Day 7. WNBA officials and the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association are set to reconvene Monday afternoon as labor talks have come down to the wire and threaten to delay the start to the 2026 season.Last week, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert suggested a Monday deadline to finish negotiations — or else the preseason schedule would be impacted. Progress has been made gradually over almost 90 hours of face-to-face meetings since Tuesday.But few exact details have been shared about where negotiations have advanced and the remaining gaps to bridge. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike told reporters Saturday that the main obstacles continue to surround revenue sharing and housing.

In the preceding days, Ogwumike said the league and players’ union addressed some of the more marginal issues. “There’s still work to do, but ultimately, we want to get this deal done,” Ogwumike said, via ESPN. Players want league-funded housing, a higher salary cap than the league’s latest offer of $6.2 million, improved health benefits and aid for retired players.They also are fighting to remove the core designation and secure an equitable share of league and team revenue. The WNBPA entered these bargaining sessions asking for a 26 percent share of the league’s gross revenue, while the league offered around 15 percent. It’s unclear where those numbers stand entering Monday’s bargaining session. The WNBA still has to execute a two-team expansion draft, super-sized free agency and a college draft.

Training camps are scheduled to open April 19.Preseason games are set to start shortly after that, with the Liberty scheduled to open their preseason April 25 against the Fever. The WNBA’s 30th season is set to open May 8. Engelbert appeared optimistic the two sides could find common ground and put an end to more than 17 months of negotiations. “We are going to keep going...