Negotiations between the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the players’ union over improving working conditions and salaries remain stalled with 60 days left before the deadline. Terry Carmichael Jackson, the executive director of the players’ union, told Front Office Sports on Monday that the union feels the league is not serious about reaching a new collective bargaining agreement. The parties may have to try to extend the current October 31 deadline to reach an agreement, but this could also lead to a player strike and a temporary halt in activities if no deal is reached. Jackson explained that the players are working hard to achieve a groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement that builds on the growth, momentum, and positive news surrounding women’s sports and the league.

As the 60-day deadline approaches, the league’s lack of urgency causes players to question whether the league genuinely wants to succeed with this agreement or is just stalling for time. Fans do not want this and stand with the players in demanding a new standard for the women’s league. Players clearly expressed their stance during the warm-up for last month’s All-Star game by wearing black shirts with the white phrase: ‘Pay us what you owe us,’ referring to ongoing discussions about their rights. Players protest their low salaries despite the league achieving record viewership and increased ticket sales. In light of this improvement, the women’s league will receive $200 million annually starting next year as part of an 11-year, $2.2 billion TV rights deal signed by the NBA with Disney, Amazon, and NBCUniversal.

This is not the first time the parties have faced tough negotiations; the players’ union previously withdrew from the collective bargaining agreement in 2019 before reaching a new deal in early 2020.