The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association have agreed in principle on a transformational new collective bargaining agreement just 51 days before the start of the new season.
The breakthrough arrives following a prolonged and frequently contentious 17-month labour dispute.
It concludes a marathon week of negotiations to secure terms before the competition embarks on its 30th anniversary campaign.
Revenue sharing and million-dollar salaries
For the first time in the history of the sport, the newly structured salary system will be directly tied to overall revenue growth.
This monumental shift is expected to introduce the first $1m (£790,000) player salaries to North America’s premier women’s basketball league.
The updated financial framework reflects a period of unprecedented commercial expansion, characterised by surging television viewership and record-breaking match attendance.
“We have aligned on key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement together,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
Improved travel and professional standards
While comprehensive details remain unpublished, the arrangement is anticipated to formally codify chartered air travel for all competing franchises.
It will also significantly enhance broader welfare benefits and establish stricter workplace guidelines across the board.
The tentative pact remains subject to official ratification by the athletes, alongside necessary approvals from the relevant boards of governors.
This development marks the sixth such labour resolution since the tournament was established, succeeding the previous terms negotiated in 2020.
Squads are now scheduled to report for training camps on 19 April, with the regular schedule commencing on 8 May.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have become the first team to secure an NBA play-off berth after a 113-108 victory over the Orlando Magic.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the triumph with an outstanding 40-point performance on the road.
The 27-year-old Canadian shot 14 from 27 from the field, extending his astonishing record of consecutive 20-point games to 129.
Chet Holmgren provided vital support with 20 points and 12 rebounds to help the Western Conference leaders claim their ninth consecutive victory.
Momentum swings and Western Conference dominance
The franchise now boasts a formidable 54-15 record for the season, underlining their status as genuine championship contenders.
“We got off to a good start but then the car kind of came off the road for a little bit,” said reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander.
“But that’s what great teams do – they figure out a way to get the car back on the road, they figure out a way to go into a building and win a game when the chips are stacked against you, and we did that tonight.”
Spurs stay second as Pistons maintain Eastern grip
Elsewhere in the West, the San Antonio Spurs retained second place following a comfortable 132-104 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
The Minnesota Timberwolves also enjoyed a successful night, dispatching the Phoenix Suns 116-104.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the table-topping Detroit Pistons handed the Washington Wizards a 13th straight defeat to strengthen their lead.
However, their 130-117 triumph was significantly marred by a back injury to star point guard Cade Cunningham, who was forced off during the first quarter.
Knicks cruise while Pacers continue to struggle
The New York Knicks solidified their grip on third place in the East by delivering a thumping 136-110 win over the Indiana Pacers.
That result inflicted a 14th consecutive loss upon last year’s NBA Finals runners-up, leaving the struggling franchise with a dismal 15-54 record this term.
Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has admitted he may be forced to retire from professional football after suffering a devastating shoulder injury that requires double surgery.
The 39-year-old Danish international sustained a dislocated shoulder alongside complex tears to his bicep, rotator cuff, and labrum.
Speaking on a CBS Sports broadcast, he confirmed the extensive rehabilitation process will keep him sidelined for up to 12 months.
With his current contract expiring at the end of the season, the veteran stopper acknowledged that his appearance on 22 February may have been his final professional game.
Devastating reality for experienced custodian
The former Premier League winner initially damaged the joint while on international duty against Portugal last year, but had continued to play through the pain.
I could have potentially played my last ever football game.
I have been a footballer since the day I was born. That kind of thought is devastating.
It’s very, very hard to wrap my head around, at the moment.
Sinisalo steps up for title run-in
Prior to this enforced absence, the long-serving international made 39 appearances across all competitions this term, conceding 49 goals and keeping 14 clean sheets.
However, recent inconsistent performances had drawn criticism from supporters, leading to deputy Viljami Sinisalo taking over starting duties last month.
Sinisalo is now set to remain in goal for the crucial upcoming Scottish Premiership fixtures as the Parkhead club attempt to catch current league leaders Hearts.
Managerial changes loom at Parkhead
The Glasgow giants are also preparing for significant changes off the pitch this summer, when interim manager Martin O’Neill is expected to depart.
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou is reportedly extremely keen on taking the permanent managerial role.
Askou has impressed during his tenure at Fir Park, guiding his side to fourth in the table and firmly establishing his credentials.
Arsenal are expected to abandon their pursuit of Paris St-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer as they prepare for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old to strengthen their attacking options on the left flank.
However, the French champions view the Georgian international as a crucial part of their squad and will not entertain any offers.
He joined the Parisian outfit from Napoli in January 2025 for £59m, subsequently winning both the Champions League and Ligue 1.
Focus shifts to Wembley showdown
Mikel Arteta’s side must quickly put transfer frustrations aside as they seek their first piece of silverware since the 2020 FA Cup.
The north Londoners currently sit nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table following a hard-fought victory over Everton.
They also faced Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League quarter-finals earlier this week, continuing a gruelling fixture schedule.
Teenage sensation steps up
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand believes 16-year-old academy product Max Dowman could soon step into a central playmaking role.
The Hale End graduate made a stunning impact against the Toffees last weekend, scoring his first senior goal and providing an assist.
His rapid emergence provides a timely boost for the league leaders as they manage a mounting injury list in midfield.
Club captain Martin Odegaard has missed the last five matches with a knee problem, leaving a creative void in the starting lineup.
Although usually deployed in a central attacking position at youth level, the teenage sensation operated effectively out wide during his recent cameo.
Ollie Chessum has admitted the fear of being chased down by French wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey caused him to panic and score far from the posts during England’s Six Nations defeat in Paris.
The towering back-row forward intercepted a pass on his own 10-metre line in the 51st minute and ran 60 metres unopposed.
However, the Leicester Tigers star touched down near the left touchline rather than angling towards the centre.
This wide positioning resulted in a missed conversion by fly-half Fin Smith.
England ultimately lost the thrilling encounter 48-46 to round off a highly disappointing tournament.
Fear of being caught
“I was adamant that there was a red scrum out lurking in the background that was going to bring me down.”
said Chessum.
“So I just pinned my ears back and hoped that no-one managed to grab on to my coattails and bring me to the floor.”
The 25-year-old revealed he has received significant teasing from teammates and family for not making the kick easier.
Bielle-Biarrey, who crossed the whitewash four times himself during the match, was in close pursuit alongside Matthieu Jalibert and Thomas Ramos.
None of the chasing French trio could reel in the English forward before he crossed the try line.
Exceptional sprint speed
Leicester coach Geoff Parling was entirely unsurprised by the breakaway score.
The coach noted the player’s top sprint speed has been measured at an impressive 9.3 metres per second.
“As soon as he got the intercept I knew he was going to score because I know how fast he is.”
stated Parling.
Parling praised the forward for continuously driving his team forward against the formidable French opposition.
Frustrating campaign for England
Despite an improved final performance in the French capital, Steve Borthwick’s side concluded a miserable championship.
The national team secured only one victory from five fixtures.
This poor run of form resulted in a dismal fifth-place finish in the final championship standings.
“It was a frustrating few weeks, there’s no hiding the disappointment and frustration.”
the forward added.
Following the match, the try-scorer immediately flew back to London Heathrow.
He then took a taxi straight to Welford Road to watch his club lift the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Paris St-Germain have ruthlessly eliminated Chelsea from the Champions League after securing a dominant 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge to complete an 8-2 aggregate triumph.
The hosts entered the decisive second leg harbouring faint hopes of an unlikely comeback following a heavy 5-2 defeat in the French capital.
However, those slim aspirations were completely extinguished within six minutes when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia comfortably evaded 20-year-old debutant Mamadou Sarr to slide home the opener.
Bradley Barcola doubled the advantage for the visitors just eight minutes later to leave Liam Rosenior’s side trailing by an insurmountable five-goal margin at the interval.
Empty stands and mounting injuries
A half-time introduction for academy prospect Josh Acheampong failed to revitalise a deeply disjointed home performance.
The reigning European champions continued their relentless assault, with Senny Mayulu firing a third goal past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez midway through the second period.
While the London club eventually established a belated foothold in the contest, they failed to register a meaningful consolation strike in front of a rapidly emptying stadium.
A disastrous European exit was ultimately compounded in the closing stages when defender Trevoh Chalobah was carried off the pitch on a stretcher with a suspected serious injury.
Rosenior faces intense scrutiny
This humiliating elimination leaves the Blues’ head coach facing severe questions regarding his tactical approach and the overall trajectory of his squad.
Conceding eight goals across two crucial European ties highlights significant defensive frailties that must be urgently addressed before their next domestic fixture.
Morocco have been declared the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations after authorities controversially overturned Senegal’s initial 1-0 extra-time victory.
The dramatic decision strips the Senegalese national team of their recently claimed continental title.
They had originally secured the trophy earlier this season following a tense match that required an additional 30 minutes to find a breakthrough.
However, an extraordinary intervention means the Atlas Lions are now officially recognised as the tournament champions.
Unprecedented reversal
Such post-match alterations to a cup final outcome are incredibly rare in major international football.
The sudden elevation of the North African side will undoubtedly spark significant debate and potential legal appeals across the global game.
Governing bodies issued a formal statement confirming the structural changes to the tournament’s official honours board.
Awaiting further clarity
The exact nature of the infractions that led to the result being voided remains the subject of intense scrutiny.
Supporters of the Teranga Lions are expected to react strongly to the sudden loss of their hard-fought silverware.
Meanwhile, celebrations will inevitably reignite in Rabat as the revised outcome is fully absorbed by the newly crowned victors.
Aston Martin are actively searching for a new team principal to succeed Adrian Newey after a disastrous start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, with former Red Bull boss Christian Horner ruled out for the role.
The Silverstone-based squad have failed to score a single point in the opening rounds in Australia and China.
Drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll both suffered retirements at the recent Chinese Grand Prix, compounding early-season misery for the manufacturer.
Reliability woes and Honda engine struggles
Significant concerns regarding engine reliability emerged before the opening race in Melbourne when half of their allocated Honda battery packs failed during practice.
The legendary aerodynamicist has pointed to a lack of experience within the engine supplier’s workforce as a primary cause of their current track difficulties.
Newey noted that the Japanese manufacturer returned to the sport with a significantly reduced staff and are struggling to recover under current financial regulations.
“They re-entered with let’s say only, I’m guessing, 30 per cent of their original team and now in a budget cap era.”
“So they started very much on the back foot and unfortunately they’ve struggled to catch back up.”
Tension builds amid search for new leadership
Reports from Spain suggest that palpable tension and disappointment have engulfed the team following the double non-finish in Shanghai.
This perceived leadership void has prompted the British marque to seek a new figurehead to handle management and public relations responsibilities.
Despite the anticipated reshuffle, the 65-year-old engineering mastermind is expected to transition into a revised technical role rather than leave the team entirely.
Aston Martin will have another opportunity to secure their first championship points of the campaign when the paddock moves to Japan next week.