As these negotiations continue, the timing of this has made it very important. Women’s basketball is gaining more attention than ever, with more social media coverage and the WNBA becoming more well known. Due to this increased national coverage the discussions about players pay and working conditions has reached not only the players but their fans as well.

A lot of players have used their platform to talk about the negotiations and explain their concern. Fans, especially younger fans, have been involved in conversations and have voiced their opinion as well. This negotiation is a lot more well known and is getting a lot of coverage than previous negotiations. 

As of now neither parties are planning on making a deal by Jan 23. Due to the agreement nobody is allowed to stop working, but they are currently about to enter a status quo where players are allowed to initiate necessary strike or lockout for staff. Players have been considering a strike if that’s what is needed.

The longer these negotiations go without being settled the more likely it is for a compressed season. Many of the drafts including free agency, expansion, and college drafts are meant to happen within the next few weeks to months. So the later these negotiations go on the more necessary events are pushed back.

There seems to be little to no agreements on anything. The league made a proposal to get rid of league housing which has been required for 27 years. The players have come together and started what they are willing to give in on and believe until the other side is willing to meet in the middle then the negotiations can’t be settled. 

These negotiations will shape the future of the WNBA. Right now both sides are still trying to come to an agreement before the season with a lot on the line. Everyone is watching closely to see how these negotiations will go.