WNBPA rejects the league’s initial CBA proposal

The GIST: With the WNBA All-Star reserves announced, the stage is set for the league’s first-ever All-Star draft tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — but as some stars align, other W news isn’t nearly as shiny. Let’s dig in.

❌ Players’ Association rejects league’s initial CBA proposal: The league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations with the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association (WNBPA) are off to a rough start — at least according to the players.

• WNBPA president and Seattle Storm star Nneka Ogwumike laid out the players’ union’s goals ahead of the season start, including things like revenue sharing and increased roster sizes, but players felt the initial proposal from the league wasn’t “entirely responsive.”

• Thanks to the women’s hoops boom, players have unprecedented leverage, and they’re pulling out all the stops to secure their piece of the ever-growing pie. It’s only the first round of negotiations, but with a lockout on the table at season’s end, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

🗽 NY Liberty continue to struggle: Back on the court, the defending champs are really missing Jonquel Jones after losing five of their last seven games since the reigning Finals MVP was sidelined with an ankle injury. Their most recent L? Yesterday’s 79–70 loss to the Seattle Storm, which was due in large part to an abysmal third quarter where the Libs managed just six points.

• Things couldn’t be more different for last year’s runners-up, the Minnesota Lynx, who earned two dubs over the weekend, bringing their home record to a perfect 11-0. The last five teams to start 10-0 at home? They finished the season as league champs. Add it to the list.