Overview
- Senior union advisor Erin D. Drake said a deal by Friday “is not going to happen,” and The Athletic reported it is extremely unlikely the deadline will be met.
- ESPN and CNBC reports indicate both sides are preparing to sign a short-term extension to continue negotiations into November.
- The central impasse is over pay structure, with the union seeking a transparent revenue-linked model and the league proposing fixed cap increases with revenue triggers.
- Adam Silver’s comments emphasizing absolute dollars drew union pushback, while Napheesa Collier highlighted pay disparities by citing Caitlin Clark’s current earnings.
- Uncertainty is delaying expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo and complicating free agency planning, though sources say a lockout is seen as undesirable.