LEARNING THE DETAILS

The WNBA has a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, and we’re starting to learn what the terms are.

Revenue sharing had been the major sticking point in negotiations. The players wanted gross revenue share (money before expenses) while the WNBA wanted to pay via net revenue (money after expenses).

On the latest edition of We Need to Talk, Erica L. Ayala and Alicia Jay broke down everything we know about the CBA so far:

Marissa Ingemi of the Los Angeles Times reports that the players will receive 20 percent of gross revenue in the new CBA. It’s a dramatic gain for the players as they have fought for years to obtain that level of revenue and had to fight the WNBA throughout negotiations to reach that number. It’s not as high as their original ask of 40 percent, but they’ve established a baseline going forward and will likely never retreat from receiving gross revenue.

Housing was another front line item in negotiations, and the WNBPA came away with some victories there as well. Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports reports that teams will provide housing for all of its in the first three years of the CBA.

Once that time period concludes in 2029, players making under $500,000 will qualify for team-provided housing. Finding housing is difficult on its own, and can be even more tenuous for players that may not have permanent teams. This solution makes life easier for players and gives them more time to focus on doing their best on the court..

Players on rookie deals also come away as winners in the new CBA.

Costabile that the rookie minimum in the new CBA will be $270,000. Players who have 1-3 years of service are set to earn at least the minimum salary are set to earn at least $277,500.

For young players such as Leonie Fiebich, Nika Muhl, and Julie Vanloo, they will see immediate jumps in their pay and have their previous contracts upgraded to meet the new standards.

For star young players, they’re in line for a bigger prize. Meghan L. Hall of USA Today reports that players on rookie contracts that made All WNBA teams are eligible to sign to sign maximum contracts following their fourth seasons and are ineligible to receive core designations from their teams.

This issue will come to the forefront soon as 2025 All WNBA Second Team member, Aliyah Boston, is eligible to receive a max contract as she enters her fourth season in the WNBA.

The supermax is reportedly $1.4 million, and the game’s greatest player is set to cash in immediately. Callie Fin of the Las Vegas Review-Journal was first to report that A’ja Wilson is expected to sign a supermax extension once free agency begins. Wilson is the gold standard in professional basketball and will be one of the leaders as the WNBA enters a brave new world.

News of the agreement was met with praise and appreciation across the basketball landscape:

It’s a great time for the WNBA. Now that the CBA is complete, the business of the league can resume as we gear up for the 30th season.

We have to see how things play out under this new CBA, but so far things look promising. It's an exciting start to a hopeful future.

Here’s the news you’ll read in the rest of today’s newsletter:

🔏Lock in — Why NC State vs. Tennessee is the MUST-WATCH game of Round 1

🤔Tanisha Wright at Penn State — Is This the Move That Changes Everything?

🎬 Breaking Glass: Robin Roberts gives us the Pat Summitt story the World Needs to See

Brian’s Game to Watch!

The NCAA Tournament is officially underway, and NC State vs. Tennessee is the must-watch game of Round 1! On paper it's a 10 vs. 7 matchup — in reality, it's a powder keg with a short fuse.

NC State is looking to go on another deep run. They’ve reached the Sweet 16 in six out of the past eight seasons and are two seasons removed from the first Final Four in team history.

Tennessee hopes a win can erase the nightmarish end to their season. They’ve faced mountains of questions and have failed to meet expectations. A win can help build goodwill towards the future. A loss would lead to an even more challenging offseason for Kim Caldwell.

On November 4, Tennessee and NC State opened the season at the Greensboro Invitational. Both teams were ranked in the Top 10 and appeared destined for really good seasons. NC State finished fourth in a tough ACC slate while Tennessee went into a freefall to end the season.

Now that everything starts over at zero, we can throw the records out the window. However, there are lessons to take from the early November matchup.

“I think a lot of mistakes that we were making early on in the year we cleaned up,” NC State forward Khamil Pierre said. “Having better team chemistry, a better feel for the game. I think we've just come a long way. Individually, yeah, but also as a team.”

Managing possessions will be crucial in this matchup. Tennessee loves to full court press as it helps disrupt opposing offenses and force turnovers.

NC State is one of the best teams in the nation in terms of preventing turnovers and they will look to generate as many good shots on offense as possible.

The game tips off in Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 19 at 8:00p.m ET on ESPN.

Is Penn State Finally Serious About Women's Basketball?

Following her dismissal from the Atlanta Dream in 2024, Tanisha Wright spent a year as an assistant coach under rookie head coach Tyler Marsh with the Chicago Sky. Now, coach Wright is moving back to the lead chair.

On March 19, the Penn State Nittany Lions women’s basketball team announced that they will be hiring Wright to be their new head coach. Wright takes over for Carolyn Kieger, who went 84-123 in seven seasons as head coach with one season above .500 and zero NCAA Tournament appearances.

Wright spent four years in Penn State as a student from 2001-2005 and was named a third team All American in 2005. After the hiring was announced, her alma mater shared the news on social media

“Penn State women’s basketball has a proud history, a strong tradition and a standard of excellence. Tanisha Wright embodies everything this program stands for. She is one of the greatest to ever wear a Lady Lion uniform, and she went on to spend 19 years competing and coaching at the highest level of women’s professional basketball, including winning a championship as a player,” Athletic Director Dr. Patrick Kraft said in a statement.

“As we begin this exciting new chapter with Coach Wright at the helm, her leadership, experience and deep connection to Penn State will be instrumental in building upon our proud tradition and returning this program to the national stage where it belongs.”

This job gives Wright a chance to rebuild her alma mater. She had success on the WNBA level and joins a school that's trying to find itself.

If this goes well, both sides will be able to benefit immensely.

She Built the Foundation — Breaking Glass Honors Pat Summitt's Legacy

Pat Summitt is one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. The legendary coach was an institution in Tennessee and her presence is still felt many years after her passing. This spring, we will get to learn more about the life and times of Pat Summitt.

On March 19, the trailer for “Breaking Glass: The Pat Summitt Story” was released

The documentary, executive produced by Robin Roberts and directed by Dawn Porter, will premiere on Disney Plus on March 29 with a worldwide airing on ESPN2 on April 5.

Pat was beloved by many in the basketball community, and Roberts’ participitation in this documentary takes on extra meaning for the Summitt family.

“I’m honestly grateful to Robin Roberts for making this happen,” Tyler Summitt said. “As I was growing up, Robin was like a family member, and there’s nobody better to tell my mom’s story than Robin Roberts.”

As women’s basketball continues to grow, fans will get to learn more about the people who laid the foundation.

Summitt’s impact will never be forgotten and this documentary allows fans of all ages and backgrounds to learn about one of the most important people in hoops history.

At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in the women’s basketball community.

Here’s what we’re reading:

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