The WNBA and WNBPA "reported progress" in labor talks
yesterday, but both sides "denied" an ESPN report that an
agreement had been reached, according to the AP's Jeff
Goodman. WNBA Dir of Media Relations Mark Pray:
"Discussions continue, but we do not yet have a deal."
Goodman writes that as of 10:45pm ET last night, the two
sides were still meeting (AP, 4/27). In Orlando, Shannon
Rose writes that a new agreement "supposedly allows for a
small increase in the rookie pay scale, characterized by one
source as 'insignificant.'" The WNBA will also "guarantee"
a percentage of player-identified licensed merchandise
royalties (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/27). In Phoenix, Jeff
Metcalfe calls details regarding group licensing "the final
hurdles." A "new key component" is allowing former ABLers
"to sign for one year" rather than the standard for one year
with a league option, allowing them to "be able to negotiate
for more than the standard rookie raise" after '99 (AZ
REPUBLIC, 4/27). WNBPA Dir Pam Wheeler: "I remain
cautiously optimistic. ... There was some resolution on
issues that needed to be bargained over" (USA TODAY, 4/27).
Wheeler, on any fan backlash: "Fans recognize that we're
looking for nothing more than what the average person
considers when looking for employment" (NEWSDAY, 4/27).
MEDIA REAX: In Miami, Greg Cote writes, "Somebody
please tell the WNBA that it isn't big enough, interesting
enough, important enough or established enough to risk this
labor impasse" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/27). In Minneapolis, Pam
Schmid writes the "publicity over the labor talks has left a
sour taste in fans' mouths that might not be easy to wash
away" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/27).
DON'T COMPARE THEM TO THE MEN! Liberty F Sophia
Witherspoon, on any comparisons to the NBA players and the
six-month lockout: "We want to separate ourselves from the
men. We're sincere about what we do, we enjoy it. Though
we're not making what we want, we're willing to do that
because we love the game" (NEWSDAY, 4/27).
