WNBA and players union miss Friday CBA deadline as talks continue

The WNBA and its players union did not reach a new collective bargaining agreement by Friday’s deadline, and both sides say negotiations are ongoing while the expired CBA places the league in a status‑quo period.

The WNBA and its players union did not reach a new collective bargaining agreement by the Friday deadline, players and union representatives said. New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart told reporters the sides were not coming to an agreement while adding that negotiations would continue in good faith. The CBA has expired and, under U.S. labor rules, the league is in a status‑quo period. League and union officials say they remain in talks and are reported to be discussing a moratorium on free-agency offers. Key points: - Breanna Stewart said no new CBA was agreed to by the Friday deadline and that talks will continue in good faith. - The WNBPA released a statement accusing the league of undervaluing player contributions and dismissing player concerns. - With the CBA expired, the league said teams may send qualifying offers to free agents beginning Sunday under the status‑quo obligation. - Reports indicate the league and union are negotiating a moratorium that would pause free-agency offers while bargaining continues. - Players voted in December to authorize a strike, giving the union’s executive committee that option if needed. Summary: The immediate effect is a more compressed offseason because teams could proceed with qualifying offers unless a moratorium is agreed. Reports say the league and union are negotiating such a moratorium while broader CBA talks continue. Undetermined at this time.