Source: WNBA sends counterproposal to players ahead of deadline

The WNBA sent a collective bargaining agreement proposal to the union a day after the league received one from the players, a source told ESPN’s Alexa Philippou on Sunday.

The WNBA’s response to a union proposal from Friday comes a few days before a Tuesday deadline set by the league, which said it would need at least a handshake agreement with the players to start the season on time.

It’s unknown what changes the league and union made in their latest proposals. Revenue sharing has been the key sticking point between the sides.

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The union’s previous proposal from a week ago had asked for an average of 26% of the gross revenue — revenue before expenses — over the course of the CBA. That would include 25% in the first year of the new deal. The league has said that number was unrealistic.

The WNBA’s past few proposals have offered more than 70% of net revenue, with that number going up as the league continues to grow.

Caitlin Clark said at USA Basketball training camp Saturday that the two sides should stop sending proposals and instead meet face-to-face until a deal gets done.

“I don’t understand why we don’t just get in a room and iron it out and shake hands,” she said. “That’s how business is. You look each other in the eye, you shake hands, you respect both sides. For me, that’s what I would love to see.”

Union vice president Breanna Stewart agreed with Clark’s idea.

“I think that would be great for us all to sit in a room until we really get it done,” the New York Liberty star said. “If that means sitting in there for hours and hours at a time, let’s do it. That’s for the better of the player. While a situation like that has never happened before, there’s a first time for everything.”

Stewart isn’t going back to Puerto Rico with the U.S. team to play in the FIBA World Cup qualifier tournament next week. She said she is going home to New York and would be available for in-person negotiations.

“We want the deal to be done. We want to have the season,” Stewart said. “We just need to find the right numbers that reflect it.”

If a labor deal is agreed to by Tuesday, it probably would be signed by the end of the month. Under that timeline, the expansion draft for new franchises in Portland and Toronto would be held sometime around April 1-6, according to a timetable obtained by The Associated Press.

Free agent qualifying offers, including franchise player tags, would be sent out April 7-8. Teams would then have three days to negotiate with the more than 80% of players who are free agents. The signing period would take place from April 12-18.

Training camps would open the next day, and the season would be able to start May 8.

“I think it’ll be tight. Hopefully we do come to a resolution sooner rather than later,” Stewart said. “But even if we do, it’s like these other things that need to happen need a moment. You shouldn’t have to rush the expansion draft or free agency.”