Overview

• NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he is confident a new WNBA collective bargaining agreement will be completed, calling the labor strife “unfortunate” during the Finals.
• He acknowledged “relationship issues” between players and league leadership, praised recent league growth, and said he is available to help but is not stepping in directly.
• The current CBA expires Oct. 31, with options ranging from a short-term extension of existing terms to the possibility of a lockout if no agreement is reached.
• Players are pressing for a far larger revenue share, citing reports they receive roughly 9–10% under current arrangements despite a reported 11-year, $2.2 billion media-rights deal and rising viewership.
• WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier reiterated her criticism of commissioner Cathy Engelbert and canceled a planned meeting after Engelbert denied remarks Collier attributed to her, underscoring the trust gap in talks.