Happy Friday, basketball fans.
I hope this ‘sletter finds you striking: not working, not purchasing, and rather reading and talking to those in your community. The WNBA is lucky to be filled with players who speak truth to power, and we should all follow in their footsteps.
Two pieces of news, both coming from Front Office Sports, are worth pointing you towards today:
Apparently, according to sources, the league has not responded to the most recent CBA proposal from the player’s union in over a month, and the two sides have not had a bargaining session yet this year.
“It’s not a constructive way to continue on these negotiations, especially considering the timeline that we’re in,” WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike told Front Office Sports in a phone interview from the LPGA Women’s Leadership Summit in Orlando. “To give the excuse that our proposal was not adequate is concerning.”
Secondly, coming shortly after this first report, it is being reported that the league and the player’s union will be meeting on Monday. The league is currently in a “status quo” state, meaning they are operating under the rules of the previous CBA while still not having agreed to a new one. This is how the schedule for the 2026 season was able to be produced and released, and how the league is able to start putting real plans in motion for the upcoming season.
Hopefully, this upcoming meeting will get the two sides closer together. Should we be hopeful that an agreement is made next week? I think that would be too optimistic. But things are slowly progressing towards resolution.
“I feel extremely excited for the opportunity to be there in person,” (Kelsey) Plum said. “Obviously with other players that are really invested in this in the executive committee. Then of course, the league making a commitment to be there. At the end of the day, that’s the most important thing. We’re meeting together and hopefully we’ll have something.”
Lastly: did y’all see the Portland Fire jerseys?
Boy, their local celebrity casting director has been working overtime recently.
Have a good weekend, y’all. I’ll see you on the streets.