WNBA players union authorizes negotiators to call a strike

New York – WNBA players have authorized their union’s executive council to call a strike if necessary, the union announced Thursday as it continues to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the league.

The WNBPA and league have been negotiating a new agreement for the past few months, extending the deadline a couple of times with the latest one set to expire Jan. 9. The move gives union negotiators another tool to use in talks.

“The players’ decision is an unavoidable response to the state of negotiations with the WNBA and its teams,” the union said in a statement. “Time and again, the players’ thoughtful and reasonable approach has been met by the WNBA and its teams with a resistance to change and a recommitment to the draconian provisions that have unfairly restricted players for nearly three decades.”

The union said there was overwhelming support in the vote to allow the executive council to call for a strike when it sees fit. With 93% of players voting, 98% voted yes to authorize a strike if needed.

“The players’ vote is neither a call for an immediate strike nor an intention to pursue one. Rather, it is an emphatic affirmation of the players’ confidence in their leadership,” the statement said.

A strike could delay the WNBA expansion draft and the beginning of free agency that usually starts in late January. The season itself isn’t expected to begin until late April or early May.

Players and owners have been meeting regularly to negotiate. Increased salaries and revenue sharing are two big areas that the sides aren’t close on.

The WNBA said in a statement it was aware of the players’ decision but “remains steadfast in its commitment to reaching an agreement as soon as possible and delivering a 30th season for the players, fans, teams, and partners.”

“While we acknowledge the players’ right to authorize a future work stoppage, we strongly disagree with the WNBPA’s characterization of the current state of negotiations, which fundamentally misrepresents the ongoing discussions taking place at the bargaining table,” the league said. “It is difficult to understand claims that the league is resistant to change, particularly given that we are proposing numerous CBA modifications including significant immediate salary increases and a new uncapped revenue-sharing model that would ensure continued salary growth tied to revenue growth.”

The league’s most recent offer would guarantee a maximum base salary of $1 million in 2026 that could reach $1.3 million through revenue sharing. That’s up from the current $249,000 and could grow to nearly $2 million over the life of the agreement, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The average salary in 2026 would be more than $530,000, up from its current $120,000, and grow to more than $770,000 over the life of the agreement. The minimum salary would grow from its current $67,000 to more than $250,000 in the first year, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the details were to remain private.

Napheesa Collier, who is on the executive council, said in a Zoom earlier this week that players are also fighting for child care and retirement benefits. She acknowledged that revenue sharing remains the main issue, which is why other topics haven’t been talked about as much.

“I don’t think there’s fatigue,” Collier said. “Obviously, there’s frustration in that both sides are trying to get what they want, but we still have that fire within us that we’re willing to do what it takes. We’re going to do whatever it takes to get what we think we deserve.”

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark said at USA Basketball camp last week that this was the “biggest moment in the history” of the league.

“It’s not something that can be messed up,” Clark said.

“We’re going to fight for everything we deserve, but at the same time we need to play basketball. That’s what our fans crave. You want the product on the floor. In the end of the day that’s how you’re marketable, that’s what the fans want to show up for.”

Knicks ask for post-NBA Cup changes

Indianapolis – New York Knicks coach Mike Brown believes that while there are benefits to winning the NBA Cup, league officials should address the post-tournament scheduling in the future.

The first-year coach rattled off the grueling stretch the Knicks now face after beating San Antonio 124-113 on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The eight-day run that features five games in three different cities is capped by a noon tip at home Christmas Day against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“Basically, I’ve been here for a week praising the NBA. The Cup is fun and first class and all that other staff,” Brown said before Thursday’s game at Indiana. “But somehow, some way they need to take a look at the back end of the schedule – at least for anybody who’s in the final game – because it’s almost like you getting penalized for winning it, schedule wise.”

Brown detailed what it meant for the Knicks – immediately flying to Indiana, then heading home for games Friday against Philadelphia and Sunday against Miami. Then the Knicks are off to Minnesota for Tuesday’s game before Thursday’s matinee.

It’s not just the schedule causing issues for the Knicks, though.

In the first matchup between last season’s Eastern Conference finalists, both teams were short-handed.

Four injured players will continue to sit out for the Pacers – guards Tyrese Haliburton and Ben Sheppard along with forwards Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin. New York, meanwhile, will play without centers Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson as well as guards Josh Hart, Deuce McBride and Landry Shamet.

All nine are out with injuries.

Plus, Brown acknowledged he didn’t follow his minutes limitations sheet as closely as he normally does during the most recent Cup games because he wanted to win the championship. Now, he plans to revert to his more traditional regular-season philosophy.

“Now we’re back to our regular-season games, so minutes will go down to what I think they should be at for the rest of the season,” Brown said. “So I’ll go back to watching guys’ minutes more carefully, which is going to give other guys an opportunity.”

As for the Knicks’ decision not to hang a banner, Brown called it an “organizational” decision. But he certainly thinks there’s value to earning the title of Cup champs.

“What I did tell them was exactly what I just said, ‘Hey, heck of a month. Cherish this. We can talk about this for the rest of our lives, we can talk about this with our grandkids,'” Brown said. “But there’s more to this season. This is a taste of what we can do. We can’t afford to get comfortable because of winning it. We’ve got to go back to work.”

Antetokounmpo says focus is on health

Milwaukee – Giannis Antetokounmpo said Thursday he’s focused on getting healthy and helping the Milwaukee Bucks turn their season around, not on rumors about his future plans.

Antetokounmpo spoke to reporters for the first time since a Dec. 3 ESPN report indicated that he and his agent, Alex Saratsis, were talking with Bucks officials about whether he’s best suited to stay in Milwaukee or get traded. Antetokounmpo strained his right calf in a victory over the Detroit Pistons that night and hasn’t played since.

“There’s going to be conversations that are going to be made between (my agent) and the Bucks, and him and his other players, and him and other teams and other GMs, executives around the league,” Antetokounmpo said during the 24-minute media session. “It’s something that you can’t control. But, at the end of the day, I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks. I’m still locked in, locked in on my teammates. Most importantly, locked in on me getting back healthy.”

The speculation regarding Antetokounmpo’s future has picked up as the Bucks have struggled through the last month. Milwaukee carried an 11-16 record into its Thursday night game against the Toronto Raptors. That included a 2-8 mark in games Antetokounmpo hadn’t played.

Antetokounmpo missed four games with a left adductor strain last month and hurt his calf in his fourth game back from that injury. Antetokounmpo, who turned 31 on Dec. 6, believes his rapid return from the adductor issue may have led to the calf problem.

“Maybe it was a mistake of me coming back a little bit earlier, because once I come back, now you’re overcompensating,” Antetokounmpo said. “The only way you can pop your soleus is by overcompensating and then having an extreme amount of load or play a lot of games in a short period of time. Again, I think all of the things that I was thinking and trying to come back led to the incident that I had with my soleus.”

This is a critical season for the Bucks because of all the concerns about Antetokounmpo’s future.

ESPN reported before the season that the Bucks and New York Knicks engaged in trade talks regarding Antetokounmpo in August but never gained traction on a potential deal. Antetokounmpo spoke to reporters one day later and said he’s “locked in” with the Bucks but acknowledged the possibility he could eventually change his mind.

The idea that Antetokounmpo could request a trade has been the talk of the NBA ever since.

“This is the most I’ve been ever talked about in my career,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m in my house with my kids and all that and I’m opening the TV and it’s like, ‘Oh, Giannis is going to the Memphis Grizzlies,’ or ‘Giannis is going to the Detroit Pistons.’ Which, hey man, I’m not going to lie, I’m the hottest chick in the game right now. No, I’m joking.”

Antetokounmpo said all this conjecture about his future is tough on his family and on the team. Antetokounmpo said he’s had informal conversations with his teammates to offer encouragement and reassurance.

“I’m never going to have a meeting with my teammates and sit everybody down and talk about like, ‘Hey guys, hey, if we don’t win I’m going to get out of here,’” Antetokounmpo said. “Like, come on. We’re grown … men. That’s not going to happen. They’re grown, too. I think they understand the deal. You’ve just got to give urgency to the team. Like, ‘Guys, this is like serious. Who are we trying to be? We’ve got to turn this around. We have time to turn this around.’ And you’ve got to have a little bit more urgency.

“I think I’ve had the conversation with the coach about it. I think I’ve had the conversation with individual players about it. I’ve been approached by teammates and asked about the rumors because it also might affect their own life and their own career. I’m straight with them, whatever that answer might be.”

When he spoke to reporters about his future back in October, Antetokounmpo expressed hope he wouldn’t have to address the issue for the rest of the season. Now he says he understands the topic is going to keep coming up because “when people see cracks, they see opportunity to get in through those cracks.”

But the nine-time All-NBA forward said he’s not thinking about that issue. He’s more concerned with returning to the floor and getting the Bucks to start winning consistently again.

“At the end of the day we’re fighting for our lives,” Antetokounmpo said. “Like, we’ve got to win a game. So, rumors won’t help us win a game. Or, you know, anything else. We’ve just got to focus on basketball.”

Women

Dayton 65, Western Michigan 58

Alli Harness scored 23 points and Kailey Starks added 11 points for Western Michigan in a 65-58 loss against the University of Dayton on Thursday.

The Broncos dropped to 3-6 and will face No. 21 Ohio State on Monday at 6:30 p.m.

December schedules

Men

Thursday

▶ Mavericks 116, Pistons 114 (OT)

Friday

▶ Eastern Michigan at Akron, 7

Saturday

▶ Charlotte at Pistons, 7:30

▶ Oakland at Michigan State, noon

▶ La Salle at Michigan, 4

▶ Buffalo at Western Michigan, 1

▶ Central Michigan at Northern Illinois, 3

▶ Siena Heights at Detroit Mercy, 1

Monday, Dec. 22

▶ Pistons at Portland, 10

▶ Central Michigan at Wisconsin, 8

▶ Defiance College at Western Michigan, 1

▶ Eastern Michigan at Wright State, 7

Tuesday, Dec. 23

▶ Pistons at Sacramento, 10

▶ Ohio at Central Michigan, TBA

▶ Western Michigan at Toledo, 6:30

▶ Massachusetts at Eastern Michigan, 7:30

Friday, Dec. 26

▶ Pistons at Utah, 9:30

Saturday, Dec. 27

▶ Windy City Bulls at Motor City Cruise, 7

Sunday, Dec. 28

▶ Pistons at L.A. Clippers, 9

Monday, Dec. 29

▶ Windy City Bulls at Motor City Cruise, 7

▶ McNeese at Michigan, 7

▶ Cornell at Michigan State, 7

▶ Detroit Mercy at Youngstown State, 6:30

▶ Oakland at Wright State, 7

Tuesday, Dec. 30

▶ Pistons at L.A. Lakers, 10:30

▶ Grand Rapids Gold at Motor City Cruise, 7

Women

Thursday

▶ Dayton 65, Western Michigan 58

Friday

▶ Oakland at Illinois State University, 7:30

Saturday

▶ Eastern Michigan at Ball State, 11 a.m.

▶ Northern Illinois at Central Michigan, 1

▶ Detroit Mercy at Mercer, TBA

Sunday

▶ Oakland at Michigan, noon

▶ Michigan State at Indiana State, 3

▶ Detroit Mercy at Tulane, TBA

Monday, Dec. 22

▶ Western Michigan at Ohio State, 6:30

▶ Oakland at Robert Morris, 4

Sunday, Dec. 28

▶ Rutgers at Michigan State, 2

Monday, Dec. 29

▶ Michigan at Oregon, 9

Tuesday, Dec. 30

▶ Bowling Green at Eastern Michigan, 5