The ball is back in the league's court, as the WNBPA reportedly countered the latest WNBA CBA proposal this week — with sources confirming that the players union made concessions on revenue sharing and housing in their Tuesday offer.
The WNBPA is now stipulating an average gross revenue share of 27.5% — down from 31% — starting at 25% in the first year with a less-than-$9.5 million salary cap.
The proposal also counters the WNBA's most recent housing offer, which only covered minimum salary, rookie players, and developmental athletes for the first three years of the CBA, by extending team-provided housing to all players — a provision that has existed in some form since the first-ever WNBA CBA in 1999.
However, the WNBPA also conceded a sunset clause, allowing teams to cease housing players earning a near-maximum salary after the first few years of the new CBA.
While the union appears open to shifting numbers, the proposal still demands a gross revenue sharing model, contrasting to the league's net model — a continued sticking point between the two parties.
"The Players Association's latest proposal remains unrealistic and would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams," the WNBA told ESPN in a statement.
"We still need to complete two Drafts, and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time. We believe the WNBA's proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come."
