WNBA Labor Deal Finally Expected to Win Approval

The WNBA and its players union, the Women’s National Basketball Players Assn., said they had come to terms Thursday on a four-year contract and that the league’s players were expected to ratify it today and Saturday.

Of course, that’s what was said by both sides last week. Last-minute issues arose, forcing more negotiations and postponement of the April 27 draft, now rescheduled for Tuesday.

If ratified, the agreement will permit team training camps to open May 14 and the league’s third regular season to begin on time, June 10.

The accord reached Thursday was little changed from that of last week’s, with minimum salaries rising from $15,000 to $25,000 for rookies and $30,000 for veterans this season, and to $30,000 and $40,000 in 2002.

The deal has a third-year “re-opener” clause, permitting either side to open negotiations over any issue, but the clause prohibits strikes or lockouts.

“Now the negotiating is all over and we can get on with what we’re all so excited about--our draft,” said Val Ackerman, president of the WNBA.

“That Tuesday draft is going to be so exciting--a lot of really great players are going to go through it.”

Up to 40 former ABL players will be picked in the draft, with most projections having only one collegian going in the first round, Tennessee’s Chamique Holdsclaw.