Overview

• Multiple outlets report a new CBA is unlikely by the Oct. 31 deadline, with a short extension considered likely to avoid a lockout or strike.
• WNBPA executive committee secretary Elizabeth Williams said a deal by late October is "probably not going to happen," as the union updated players after talks in New York.
• The sides remain far apart on which income streams count toward team revenue, a sticking point for the players’ push to link pay to league growth.
• Operational timelines are at risk, with Toronto and Portland set to debut in 2026 and no expansion draft rules possible until a CBA is finalized.
• The negotiations unfold against an 11-year, $2.2 billion media deal and $250 million expansion fees, while the league says a new agreement is its top priority with more sessions scheduled.