There is "much more unknown than known about the coming WNBA season," but everyone "does still seem to believe there will be" one, according to Mechelle Voepel of ESPNW.com. Several questions hang over the '14 season, including the date of the WNBA draft, "how many teams will be in the league" and whether there "will be any change in the roster size." The league's CBA expired in September, and the "chief hope" of the players appears to be increasing roster size from 11 to 12. Even if a deal for a new CBA is struck, it is unknown "how many jobs will be available" in the league this year. That is "still dependent" on whether the Sparks "remain in business," either in L.A. or elsewhere. Fever F and WNBPA President Tamika Catchings said it is a "fair question" as to whether a deal would be reached. However, she added, "I am very optimistic that when it comes down to it, everybody wants to see the best for the WNBA, on both sides. Going down that path, I'm optimistic we'll get an agreement … soon." Voepel noted the Sparks are a franchise that is "seemingly in limbo, with no information coming from the league as to what is next" for them. Catchings: "You look at what L.A. stands for in our league -- being one of the founding teams. I wouldn't say necessarily that I'm worried, but it's more, 'What do we have to do to figure this out?'" Voepel wrote in talking to Catchings, Dream GM Angela Taylor and various other coaches and GMs last week, the "overall feeling" she gets is "no one thinks the sky is falling." Still, there is a "resignation that the league's loose ends are not tied down" (ESPNW.com, 1/31).
