The WNBA has granted a 30-day extension to players for ongoing discussions on a new collective bargaining agreement, as per sources familiar with the matter. The current agreement is due to expire on Friday, leading to increased tensions as both sides strive for a new deal. The league is open to extending the deadline to facilitate further negotiations, although there has been no official announcement yet.

The potential extension would offer more time for the parties to reach a transformative agreement, particularly concerning player salaries. In 2019, a similar situation occurred when the previous agreement expired, resulting in a 60-day extension before the current agreement was ratified in January 2020.

The decision on accepting the extension rests with the union, with ESPN being the first to report on the extension offer. WNBPA senior adviser Erin D. Drake emphasized the necessity for both parties to engage constructively and acknowledged that reaching a deal before Friday might be challenging.

In response to concerns raised, the league issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to negotiating in good faith. Recent meetings between the sides have taken place, including one in New York earlier this month, although specific details have not been publicly disclosed.

Players opted out of the current agreement last year in pursuit of enhancements such as increased revenue sharing, higher salaries, improved benefits, and a more flexible salary cap. While the WNBA has expressed a desire for a transformative deal with substantial salary and benefit improvements, there appears to be a gap in salary expectations between the two sides.

The ongoing negotiations underscore the importance of finding common ground to address the players’ concerns and ensure a mutually beneficial agreement for the future of the league.