DOES ANYBODY GOT NEXT? The WNBA is "within 11 days" of
its deadline for a new CBA and the two sides are $1.8-2.5M
apart in total salary. In Phoenix, Jeff Metcalfe writes that
if a deal isn't reached, "the WNBA could attempt to play
with only former ABL players, if they would sign, and
college draftees," but adds that "a more likely scenario" is
that a settlement will be reached for a minimum salary of
"about" $30,000 per year (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/31). In San
Jose, Ann Killion wonders about "the idiocy of an
unestablished league getting involved in an ugly labor
dispute in its third season." She adds that the "problems
with the union stance" include the "questionable legality of
trying to limit the job prospects" of former ABLers: "The
WNBA needs to wake up and realize that they're not in a
position to make demands" (S.J. MERCURY NEWS, 3/31).
WPHL LOVE: The WPHL Buzzards are mentioned as part of a
story on El Paso, TX in the WALL STREET JOURNAL. While the
team hasn't "made a profit" in three seasons, attendance
this year is "near capacity," at "more than" 4,000 fans per
game (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/31). For more, see (#30).
