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Good morning. Some CBA news for you: ESPN’s Alexa Philippou reported that the league told the players a term sheet needs to be completed by March 10th to keep the 2026 schedule on track. That’s two weeks from today.
The two sides met over Zoom yesterday during the NYC blizzard, with 50-plus players attending. Conversations are happening. Now it’s about getting it done.
What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. WNBA Triggers Revenue Sharing for the First Time Ever 💰
For the first time in league history, the WNBA generated enough revenue in 2025 to trigger revenue sharing with its players. Teams will receive $8 million to distribute to players who were active last season. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Under the 2020 CBA, players were promised a share of league revenue if the league made enough money. In 2025, it finally did. The players’ portion totaled about $16 million. Half will go directly to players. The other half funds marketing deals that pay players to promote the league.
Now that revenue sharing actually happened, it changes the tone of the ongoing CBA conversations. Revenue sharing is one of the biggest sticking points between the two parties. The players want a percentage of gross revenue and a higher starting salary cap. The league has proposed a different structure based on net revenue and a lower Year 1 cap.
🗳️ Will they make the March 10th deadline?
2. Portland Fire Add Salary Cap Strategist from The Athletic 🧠
The WNBA’s Portland Fire have hired longtime women’s basketball reporter Ben Pickman as a salary cap and strategy analyst, continuing to build out their front office ahead of their return season. (Front Office Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: Portland is clearly investing in the basketball ops side early, which matters in a league where cap flexibility and roster construction are so important.
Pickman isn’t the first journalist to make the jump to a front office role. Monumental Basketball, which runs the Wizards and Mystics, hired former ESPN editor Cristina Daglas last fall to lead research and identity.
3. Chicago Sky’s New Practice Facility Is Almost Ready 🏗️
The Chicago Sky’s new 80,000-square-foot practice facility is nearing completion and is expected to be the largest in the league until Indiana’s opens in 2027. (Sports Business Journal)
WHY IT MATTERS: For more than a decade, the Sky practiced about 30 miles from their home arena at a suburban rec center. Players noticed that lack of investment and resources and some, like Kahleah Copper, decided to go elsewhere because of it.
This new facility signals a different level of commitment. It includes private secured parking, two full courts, a full weight room, performance and recovery spaces with hot and cold tubs, a sauna and infrared room, a doctor’s office, massage and meditation rooms, plus a mother’s room and family room. There’s also a players’ lounge, a chef-led kitchen, a content studio, and glam stations inside a spa-style locker room.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
In Memoriam: Kara Braxton, a two-time WNBA champion with the Detroit Shock, passed away Sunday at age 43. A tough loss for the basketball community.
Personal Letter: Chelsea Gray published a heartfelt essay in The Players’ Tribune, writing to her son as he turns two.
Last Spot Taken: Vinyl BC clinched the sixth and final playoff spot in Unrivaled, eliminating Hive BC and Lunar Owls BC.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: Nearly 70% of you said yes, you believe No. 2 UCLA is a real national title contender.
