The WNBA and its union announced a preliminary four-
year CBA yesterday which provides a $30,000 minimum salary
for veterans in the first year, which will increase over the
life of the deal to $32,500, $35,000 and $40,000, according
to USA TODAY's Valerie Lister. The rookie wage scale starts
with a $25,000 minimum, which will increase to $26,500,
$28,000 and $30,000 over the course of the deal. WNBA
players "are also free to negotiate" the length and dollar
amount of their contracts with the WNBA. The union also
receives "a guaranteed percentage" of all royalties from the
sale of player-identified licensed merchandise, with the
league making a $100,000 "minimum payment" to the union each
year. WNBA President Val Ackerman called the deal
"historic": "This one is very comprehensive and provides
improved benefits for the players and gives them a first-
class working environment" (USA TODAY, 4/15). Players
receive a year-round health and dental plan, $100,000 of
life insurance and a 401(k) plan with league contributions
(WASHINGTON POST, 4/15). In Philadelphia, Mel Greenberg
writes that either side can "opt out" of the CBA after three
years. A "final draft" will be submitted to the league's
120 players for ratification (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/15).
ABLERS: USA TODAY's Valerie Lister writes that while
the number of former ABLers is limited to four per team this
season, "there will be no limit on the number of ex-ABL
players eligible for each team" when the WNBA expands by
four teams in 2000 (USA TODAY, 4/15). Ackerman: "The ABL
issue seemed to be of particular importance to (the union).
It frankly is a grudging compromise. It was our view that
our league should be open to the best players in the world"
(WASHINGTON POST, 4/15). Liberty Player Rep Coquese
Washington said that with former ABLers in the league, "it
makes our games that much more competitive" (N.Y. TIMES,
4/15). Comets Coach/GM Van Chancellor: "It will be a new
WNBA when the ABL players get here" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 4/15).
LEAGUE REAX: Sting Player Rep Sharon Manning: "We knew
we weren't going to strike, but just to know the league was
willing to meet us halfway was a good sign" (CHARLOTTE
OBSERVER, 4/15). Comets G Cynthia Cooper: "This wasn't the
time to wage a major battle. It was more important for
everyone to come together and really put women's basketball
first" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/15). SI's "Scorecard" writes,
"WNBA players were right to demand better pay but the union
and the league were wrong to give ABL refugees the quota
treatment. Fans of the fledgling WNBA deserve to see all of
the game's best players" (SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, 4/19).
MISSING THE BUSS: Sparks President Johnny Buss said
that while he was "ecstatic" about the new CBA, he was "less
than pleased he wasn't consulted about the expansion" that
will increase the WNBA to 16 teams in 2000. Buss: "They
cannot do this to me and especially my father (Lakers Owner
Jerry Buss). They can't do this to the owners. The Lakers
own 1/27th of the league. At least the Laker ownership
should know" (O.C. REGISTER, 4/15). WNBA President Val
Ackerman said that the four expansion cities will be named
"before the start of this season" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/15).
