WNBA lands verbal CBA deal
After 90+ hours of marathon talks, the WNBA and WNBPA’s battle to reach a new CBA is nearing an end, plus NCAA's First Four tips off and more news to know
WNBA & WNBPA reach verbal CBA deal
While the term sheet still needs to be formalized, the parties have settled key elements of the deal. (Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
After 90+ hours of marathon talks, the WNBA and WNBPA’s battle to reach a new CBA deal is nearing an end.
“We have aligned on key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement together,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said early Wednesday. “We still need to finalize a formal term sheet, but the progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward.”
“We’re proud of ourselves,“ said WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike. “We always told you all we were going to stand on business, and that’s what this looks like.” (See full report)
Big picture: After negotiations blew past multiple league deadlines, Engelbert confirmed that this week’s deal will keep the 2026 season’s schedule intact.
Both sides declined to provide details about the CBA’s terms, with questions remaining about revenue sharing and salary caps, among other issues.
The players and the WNBA board of governors now need to ratify the agreement before operational moratoriums can lift.
Up next: Once things wrap up, the WNBA will have a less than two months to hold a two-team expansion draft, college draft, free agency period, and preseason training before the regular season’s May 8th tipoff.
NCAA First Four tips off March Madness
Richmond reached the NCAA tournament’s second round last year. (Scott Wachter/Getty Images)
March Madness is setting the scene, as lower-seeded Power Four programs and mid-major high-achievers tip off this year’s First Four — with tickets to the NCAA tournament’s 64-team first round on the line.
Big Ten No. 11 seed Nebraska opens the play-in round against Atlantic 10 upstart No. 11 Richmond, before No. 16 seeds Stephen F. Austin and Missouri State fight for a first-round date with a No. 1 seed tonight.
“I think this is a group that feels like we have not really maxed out yet,” Nebraska coach Amy Williams said. “To have another opportunity to do that on this stage in the NCAA tournament just feels kind of like a new life.” (See full bracket)
How it works: The tournament opener features two games between the season’s lowest-ranked conference champions plus two between the lowest at-large seeds.
Thursday’s lineup spotlights No. 16 seeds Samford and Southern U followed by No. 10 seeds Arizona State and Virginia.
“To be the last team called this year was a little stressful,” ASU head coach Molly Miller said. “I felt really, really confident. I trusted what we had done would speak volumes throughout the season.”
Tune in: The First Four tips off tonight at 7 PM ET, live on ESPN2.
Gotham sets 2025 final rematch at MLB’s Citi Field
Gotham will take on Washington at MLB’s Citi Field on July 15h. (Gotham FC)
Gotham is taking soccer fans out to the ballpark, announcing plans to play July 15th’s 2025 NWSL final rematch against Washington at Citi Field, home to MLB’s New York Mets and MLS side New York City FC.
This summer’s Queens Classic marks the third MLB stadium-hosted NWSL match, after Bay FC battled the Spirit at the Giants’ Oracle Park in 2025 and the Stars welcomed Bay FC to the Cubs’ historic Wrigley Field in 2024.
“The District vs. Empire rivalry belongs on a big stage, and Citi Field delivers,” Washington CEO Kim Stone said in Tuesday’s statement. “New Yorkers know a big moment when they see one — this is it.” (See full release)
Sharing the stage: The game also celebrates the league’s midseason return, with the NWSL set to end its month-long 2026 Men’s World Cup break on July 3rd.
“We’re really excited to put women’s sports and our world-class athletes at Gotham FC front and center when a global spotlight is on New York,” said Gotham chief business officer Ryan Dillon. “It will be a history-making summer of soccer, and this event ensures that we are a part of that.”
Be there: Queens Classic tickets go on sale March 25th via GothamFC.com.
ON GROUND AT WITH CULVER’S |  |
Culver’s was on the ground last week, teaming up with JWS to put women’s college basketball fans to the test as the Big Ten tournament took over Indianapolis.
Big Ten Network analyst Autumn Johnson led the charge, asking tournament-goers all about their NCAA basketball fandom — including Iowa legend and 2024 Big Ten champion Gabbie Marshall.
Try your luck: Game on, Fresh Frozen Custard fans! Play Culver’s Swish Swish Dish Sweepstakes for a chance at a grand prize of $2,500, weekly cash prizes of $500, and instant win prizes like free menu items and Culver’s gift cards.
Sweepstakes runs March 9th to April 5th. Visit swishdishsweeps.com to enter. Sweepstakes open to residents of states where Culver’s operates. See full Official Rules for details.
Tune in: Catch all the On Ground At action on YouTube.
USA Basketball dominates World Cup Qualifying
Team USA finished the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament with a 5-0 record. (Alexa Alejandro/FIBA via Getty Images)
USA Basketball is off to the races, capping a 5-0 World Cup Qualifying Tournament run with Tuesday’s 84-70 win over Spain in Puerto Rico.
Guard Kahleah Copper led all scorers with 20 points, followed closely by fellow guard Kelsey Plum’s 18 points on 3-of-4 shooting from behind the arc.
Fans also got a chance to see top WNBA prospect Awa Fam in action, as the Spanish phenom registered 10 points and five rebounds off the bench. (Watch full highlights)
Hot streak: The US finished as the tournament’s only undefeated team, carrying a 42-point average margin of victory.
Guard Caitlin Clark took home MVP honors in her senior team debut, averaging 11.6 points and a tournament-high 6.4 assists per game.
Up next: The 2026 World Cup’s 16-team field is officially set, with the main event set to tip off on September 4th in Berlin.
JWS launches ‘Time Wasting’ with Kelley O’Hara & Ali Riley
New JWS podcast ‘Time Wasting’ with Kelly O’Hara and Ali Riley launched March 17th. (JWS)
Two retired NWSL icons are getting the band back together, as JWS launches Time Wasting, a new weekly soccer show hosted by two-time World Cup champion Kelley O’Hara and former Angel City captain Ali Riley.
The podcast flips the script on soccer’s classic time-killing tactic. Instead of running down the clock, O’Hara and Riley are packing episodes with tactical breakdowns, behind-the-scenes stories, and insider perspectives.
Coming in hot: In the show’s premiere, Kelley and Ali take viewers through a wild NWSL kickoff weekend, including newcomers Boston and Denver earning their first-ever red cards.
Said O’Hara: “I love that [these new teams] came into opening weekend like, ‘This is our debut and we don't care. We’re stepping up. We’re squaring up. We’re here for the fight and we're going to throw down.’”
Tune in: Catch new episodes of Time Wasting every Tuesday on JWS YouTube.
Quote of the day
“Everything.”
Three-time WNBA champion A’ja Wilson
telling Dazed Magazine what she still wants to win after earning nearly every women’s basketball title.
