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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. WNBA Pushes Back on Players’ Counterproposal 🤝
The WNBPA submitted a new counterproposal to the league on Tuesday, and this time it included concessions on revenue sharing and housing. The response came quickly. A league spokesperson called the proposal “unrealistic” later that same day. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: This is what negotiation actually looks like. The players adjusted their ask, now seeking an average of 27.5% of gross revenue over the life of the deal. That includes 25% in Year 1 with a salary cap under $9.5 million. In December, they were asking for an average of 31%, starting at 28% with a roughly $10.5 million cap.
They also showed flexibility on housing. The new proposal includes a phase-out system where teams would no longer have to provide housing for the highest-paid players.
Yes, the league pushed back fast. But the fact that both sides are responding quickly and continuing to adjust tells us the talks are active. There is still a gap to close, but movement on both sides is a good sign as they try to land on a deal that matches the league’s growth.
🗳️ Do you feel encouraged by this latest CBA update?
2. Naismith Reveals Late-Season Top 30 🏆
The 2026 Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year Late-Season Team is out, spotlighting 30 of the best players in the country. The list includes Lauren Betts (UCLA), Audi Crooks (Iowa State), Mikayla Blakes (Vanderbilt), Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina), and Sarah Strong (UConn), among others.
WHY IT MATTERS: This is the short list for one of the biggest individual awards in the sport. At this point in the season, 30 players seems like too big of a number. The race itself feels much tighter, with just a handful of players separating themselves. But, conference tournaments and March can change everything. A dominant run over the next few weeks could shift the conversation in a hurry.
3. Geno Ties Tara for AP Top 25 Record 📊
Geno Auriemma has tied former Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer for the most appearances in the AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll. Auriemma has now led UConn to 654 poll appearances over his 41-year career, matching VanDerveer’s total at Stanford. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: This is decades of sustained excellence by two Hall of Fame coaches. Auriemma has 621 straight poll appearances, having not missed it since 1993. And with UConn currently ranked No.1, he’ll likely break the record next week. VanDerveer retired in 2024 with three national titles and more than 1,000 wins. Few coaches will match their success or come close to this poll milestone.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
Playoff Picture: With Hive BC’s loss Tuesday night, Mist BC becomes the third club this season to clinch a spot in the Unrivaled playoffs.
Dom Dunk: Dominique Malonga converted her own steal into a monster dunk on Tuesday night in Unrivaled.
On Ice: UConn junior forward Ice Brady will miss the rest of the season following knee surgery.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked whether you’d rather see a skills challenge or a 3-point contest added to Unrivaled, and the answer was pretty clear. A strong 81% of you want the 3-point contest.
