As we barrel toward the Jan. 9 WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement deadline, negotiations don’t seem to be making much progress. In a new update from The Athletic’s Ben Pickman on Monday, the WNBA players’ union is currently proposing a revenue-sharing percentage of 30%, over double the league’s previous offer of 14%. On top of that disparity, the league and its players also cannot seem to agree on a similar number of games to be played in a season, as well as benefits like non-birthing parent leave.
While some of the proposals from the WNBPA may have to be adjusted or scrapped altogether in negotiations, one that 100% should stay is the pitch for a development program. Something like this would revolutionize women’s basketball and be so beneficial to both the players and the league as a whole. This is the first we are hearing of this specific proposal, and it’s a good one.
Players hope to establish WNBA development program
One new proposal from the players that Pickman included in this latest update was the introduction of development players in the WNBA. They are asking for each team to be able to sign up to two development players per season, who would be paid a stipend as well as a pro-rated salary on days they are called up to the active roster. There would be a limit to how many days these players could be active on the roster, and if teams wanted them for longer, they could sign them to a rest-of-the-season contract.
It’s similar to the way the NBA handles two-way contracts on the men’s side. The difference is that the WNBA doesn’t have a G-League, so the players wouldn’t be playing for two teams. Instead, they’d be involved in practices and called up when needed. In the NBA, two-way players also have a limit on how many days they can be active on the NBA roster, and can be converted to standard contracts as well.
The reported proposal from the league also includes an increase in minimum roster requirements for the league. They are suggesting raising the minimum roster requirement to 12 players from the current 11 players. Adding two development players and full rosters would increase that to 14 players. The players also want every roster spot in the league to be guaranteed, and reading into this latest update gives the impression that these development players would also be guaranteed in at least their developmental roles.
Not only would the introduction of development players be an excellent choice for the WNBA, but it’s also a revolutionary concept for women’s basketball as a whole.
Solving the WNBA’s depth problem
Another big negotiating point in these talks has been the length of the season and how many games will be included in each WNBA season. There is no way the WNBA can extend the season to 50-plus games (which is the current proposal, per The Athletic) in a year with 11-player rosters — the effects of a 45-game season were already on display this past season. There were a lot of injuries — including to the league’s stars like Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart, who all missed significant time this summer.
The NBA plays 82-game seasons with 15-person rosters. The WNBPA’s current proposal of 12 players + two development players makes sense for a 50-plus game season.
As it currently stands, most WNBA teams have 11 rostered players, and can start signing hardship players when they dip below 10 healthy players. With no feeder teams or system, teams then dip into free agency to get players to fill those 10-day hardship contract spots. This causes players to bounce around from system to system on these 10-day deals. There is no consistency in being able to bring in players who know your system. Having a deeper roster, plus development players to call up when needed, would mean teams could bring in players who know their system, making the whole process smoother — and might even make those games, and the process of building rosters, more fun to follow for fans.
More opportunities for players out of college
The WNBA currently holds a three-round draft every year, where teams can pick from NCAA and international prospects to add to their teams. Even currently, about two-thirds of players drafted don’t end up making rosters by the time the season starts, just a few weeks later.
It almost makes the draft a little pointless beyond the first round and a half, except for a few standouts that get lucky. Once players are waived from training camp, they either try to hang around in hopes of being picked up on hardship contracts during the season, start training to play overseas in the fall, or move on from playing basketball entirely.
The WNBA introducing a development system league-wide could be revolutionary for these young fringe players who don’t get the chance to develop. When you think about adding 2 new expansion teams at 12 players each, plus 2 development players for each team, that’s 54 new roster spots that could be added to the WNBA in 2026 alone. 54 more players that will get the chance to play for teams, or at the very least, get the chance to develop their skills in hopes of making a roster in the future.
With the women’s college basketball game growing at the rate it is, and the amount of parity and skill we are seeing in the NCAA, that is just going to give more of those deserving players a chance. This also opens up the potential for more international players to come into the WNBA, which would continue to globalize the league.
This new system not only makes the WNBA’s later draft rounds relevant again, but it would mean fewer talented players would get waived from rosters before their careers have even had the chance to begin.
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![The best moments from the Chargers’ brilliant 2026 schedule release video The 2026 NFL regular season schedule is finally here.And some have called this day the Super Bowl for the various social media departments within each organization.Every year the 32 teams put their creative juices to the test, with the Los Angeles Chargers often leading the way. This year is no exception, as the Chargers drew upon the legendary Halo video game franchise for inspiration.And threw more than a few punches at their opponents, and others, along the way.Here is the full video, followed by our favorite moments:Kirk Cousins’ friend requestIn Week 2 the Chargers take on the Las Vegas Raiders, and while Fernando Mendoza is the focal point for this early segment in the video, there is a quick cameo from Kirk Cousins.Or … KirkCuzzo … via a friend request:In Week 6 the Chargers take on their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs.While the focal point for this segment of the video is the “Donna Kelce Modest Home Reno Bundle,” there is OF COURSE a ChiefsAholic reference:LeBron called the Ty Simpson pickAs we have written here at SB Nation, LeBron James is the GOAT when it comes to telling small, meaningless lies.So in the segment covering the Chargers’ Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Rams, there is a comment from James, where he “called” the Ty Simpson pick:Then of course there is the fact this entire segment is a nod to Puka Nacua getting caught live streaming from the locker room …Each portion of the video has a title, much like a mission in Halo, and that includes the Chargers’ Week 10 meeting with the Baltimore Ravens.Which is titled “Pass the Physical,” a nod to the voided trade between the Ravens and the Raiders for Maxx Crosby:This portion of the video also includes a reference to the missed field goal that kept the Ravens out of the playoffs, and a message from the Chargers to “take care of Jesse for us <3,” highlighting new Baltimore head coach Jesse Minter, who was the defensive coordinator in Los Angeles.“Record One Interception”In a similar vein, the Chargers will take on the Jets in Week 11.A team that did not record a single interception in 2025.That is the mission referenced in this portion of the video:“Conquer the Cupcakes”This is the one everyone was waiting for.In Week 12 the Chargers will take on the New England Patriots, and the setup for this portion of the video is a mission titled “Conquer the Cupcakes,” a reference to New England’s historically soft schedule last season:As you might recall, that schedule did include a meeting with Los Angeles in the playoffs, and to their credit the Chargers engaged in some self-deprecation there. As the warthogs travel along what almost looks like Rainbow Road from Mario Kart, they reach the Wildcard Round.There is also an image of a Tyrannosaurus Rex — likely a nod to Will Campbell’s small arms — and yes, a pair of nods to the ongoing story involving Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL insider Dianna Russini. First, there is a “[N]ext photo dump 1 mile” sign visible and then moments later, notification titled “NY Post sent you a message” pops up on the screen.Emeka Egbuka’s X accountIn March, Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka touched off a brief firestorm on social media when he seemed to question the existence of CTE in a post on X.Moments later, the Buccaneers relayed on the social media website that the account that sent the message “is neither owned nor operated by Emeka Egbuka. It is in no way affiliated with Emeka or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”So, the Chargers made sure to note that in their video:“Survive One Practice” and ChonkersWhether you believe in the theory that the electric substation next to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice field is the reason so many players suffered injuries last year, or not, that theory made it into the Chargers’ schedule release video.So too did Chonkers, the massive Sea Lion that recently dominated the headlines for setting up shop at Pier 39 in San Francisco.At the very end of the video there is this screen, which includes “The Hard Truth” — where the clip of Cam Ward’s brutal “we ass” assessment plays:But there is also a QR Code with the caption “Media Misfire.”If you scan that QR Code, it takes you here:Honestly, there are countless other references that could have been included here.Either way, another incredible bit of work from everyone involved. #moments #Chargers #brilliant #schedule #release #video](https://i2.wp.com/platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-14-at-8.34.30PM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400&ssl=1 "The best moments from the Chargers’ brilliant 2026 schedule release video The 2026 NFL regular season schedule is finally here.And some have called this day the Super Bowl for the various social media departments within each organization.Every year the 32 teams put their creative juices to the test, with the Los Angeles Chargers often leading the way. This year is no exception, as the Chargers drew upon the legendary Halo video game franchise for inspiration.And threw more than a few punches at their opponents, and others, along the way.Here is the full video, followed by our favorite moments:Kirk Cousins’ friend requestIn Week 2 the Chargers take on the Las Vegas Raiders, and while Fernando Mendoza is the focal point for this early segment in the video, there is a quick cameo from Kirk Cousins.Or … KirkCuzzo … via a friend request:In Week 6 the Chargers take on their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs.While the focal point for this segment of the video is the “Donna Kelce Modest Home Reno Bundle,” there is OF COURSE a ChiefsAholic reference:LeBron called the Ty Simpson pickAs we have written here at SB Nation, LeBron James is the GOAT when it comes to telling small, meaningless lies.So in the segment covering the Chargers’ Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Rams, there is a comment from James, where he “called” the Ty Simpson pick:Then of course there is the fact this entire segment is a nod to Puka Nacua getting caught live streaming from the locker room …Each portion of the video has a title, much like a mission in Halo, and that includes the Chargers’ Week 10 meeting with the Baltimore Ravens.Which is titled “Pass the Physical,” a nod to the voided trade between the Ravens and the Raiders for Maxx Crosby:This portion of the video also includes a reference to the missed field goal that kept the Ravens out of the playoffs, and a message from the Chargers to “take care of Jesse for us <3,” highlighting new Baltimore head coach Jesse Minter, who was the defensive coordinator in Los Angeles.“Record One Interception”In a similar vein, the Chargers will take on the Jets in Week 11.A team that did not record a single interception in 2025.That is the mission referenced in this portion of the video:“Conquer the Cupcakes”This is the one everyone was waiting for.In Week 12 the Chargers will take on the New England Patriots, and the setup for this portion of the video is a mission titled “Conquer the Cupcakes,” a reference to New England’s historically soft schedule last season:As you might recall, that schedule did include a meeting with Los Angeles in the playoffs, and to their credit the Chargers engaged in some self-deprecation there. As the warthogs travel along what almost looks like Rainbow Road from Mario Kart, they reach the Wildcard Round.There is also an image of a Tyrannosaurus Rex — likely a nod to Will Campbell’s small arms — and yes, a pair of nods to the ongoing story involving Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL insider Dianna Russini. First, there is a “[N]ext photo dump 1 mile” sign visible and then moments later, notification titled “NY Post sent you a message” pops up on the screen.Emeka Egbuka’s X accountIn March, Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka touched off a brief firestorm on social media when he seemed to question the existence of CTE in a post on X.Moments later, the Buccaneers relayed on the social media website that the account that sent the message “is neither owned nor operated by Emeka Egbuka. It is in no way affiliated with Emeka or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”So, the Chargers made sure to note that in their video:“Survive One Practice” and ChonkersWhether you believe in the theory that the electric substation next to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice field is the reason so many players suffered injuries last year, or not, that theory made it into the Chargers’ schedule release video.So too did Chonkers, the massive Sea Lion that recently dominated the headlines for setting up shop at Pier 39 in San Francisco.At the very end of the video there is this screen, which includes “The Hard Truth” — where the clip of Cam Ward’s brutal “we ass” assessment plays:But there is also a QR Code with the caption “Media Misfire.”If you scan that QR Code, it takes you here:Honestly, there are countless other references that could have been included here.Either way, another incredible bit of work from everyone involved. #moments #Chargers #brilliant #schedule #release #video")
![PBKS vs MI, IPL 2026: Shardul Thakur four-for catches Punjab Kings off guard in Dharamshala There’s a certain inevitability about Shardul Thakur. He may not play half the games in a season, concede 15 runs off his first over – like he did against Punjab Kings in Dharamshala – and yet, produce moments of brilliance that turn a game on its head. He’s called ‘Lord’ Thakur and he lives up to his reputation.On Thursday, playing just his seventh game in IPL 2026, Shardul took four for 39 and brought a flourishing PBKS innings to a grinding halt, thus tilting the contest in Mumbai Indians’ favour.“It feels good to be back. You know, it’s not easy to sit out. But yes, the nature of the tournament is such where you have 25 players in the squad, lots of options. So, sometimes you’ve got to take it in your stride,” Shardul said.From his very first over, there was a spring in his step. The confidence of having captain and fellow pacer Jasprit Bumrah standing at mid off might have helped. There were lengthy discussions and arms flailing, asking fielders to move and adjust their angles. “I think I have my comfort level with him. We had a lot of discussions; I don’t know much about the other bowlers. But of course, he’s never shy of sharing his ideas,” Shardul said.READ | Our destiny is still in our hands, says Haddin as PBKS playoff hopes hang by a threadHowever, the start was far from ideal. Prabhsimran was settled and he simply used the pace to nudge the ball in gaps and pick boundaries. Shardul had to wait six overs for his next chance and on the very first delivery, Prabhsimran shuffled across the stumps and whipped him over square leg.“I knew that it was the fifth over where Punjab’s batters would also try to attack. And it was possible that I would go for more runs. But the T20 game is also like that. Sometimes, you have the intention to bowl good length but the batter plays a good shot. And Dharamshala is a venue that is at a high altitude. So, many times, the shot that might get the batter out on the boundary line at other stadiums, can go for six here,” Shardul said.But Shardul has the ability to catch you off guard when you least expect it.By the 11th over, MI’s insistence to hit the hard length was no longer a secret. It is what Prabhsimran was expecting, and hence, standing in his crease to play off his back foot. On the second delivery, Shardul threw a floater on a slightly fuller length. The result: Prabhsimran was left adjusting for length at the last instance and could only hand a top edge to deep third man.Shreyas Iyer punched his first delivery through point for four, but could do little more than stare at the pitch when the next delivery, a cross-seamed one, hit the pitch and nipped away to peg back his off stump.“I think there were too many ups and downs in this game. In PowerPlay, we started really well. But then, at the back end of the PowerPlay and at the start of the middle overs, there were few runs flowing. The tempo was constantly changing. So, as bowlers, it’s very difficult to keep coming back and bowling good deliveries. Because suddenly, there is a shift in tempo.“You think what are my shutdown options? Then, suddenly, there is a fall of one or two wickets and then you are looking for wickets. So, there were too many switches in the game itself. So, in that way, bowlers had to shift their mindset quite a lot,” Shardul said after the game.From 107 for one, PBKS was left at 111 for three in the space of six deliveries. The home side lost another two wickets in the next two overs and had been halted in its tracks. Shardul stuck to his cross-seamed deliveries and prised out another wicket in the 17th over, this time castling Marco Jansen by extracting the low bounce off the surface.“I wouldn’t say I was too happy with my bowling. I think I could have conceded six-seven runs fewer than what I did. But the four wickets that I took, yes, I am happy with that. I am happier that I was able to take those in a winning cause,” Shardul said.PBKS eked out a few bonus runs at the death by bringing in Vishnu Vinod as Impact Player. But Tilak Varma put up a show of his steely resolve to get MI over the line in chasing 201.“Kudos to Tilak, the way he held his nerve. He spent the time in the middle and looked to bat all 20 overs. And he selected his balls, he selected his areas where he needed to hit. And also, to start with, [Ryan] Rickleton, the way he provided us runs in the PowerPlay,” Shardul said.Published on May 15, 2026 #PBKS #IPL #Shardul #Thakur #fourfor #catches #Punjab #Kings #guard #Dharamshala](https://i1.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/5ekaxe/article70981719.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/29_RVM_7543.jpg?ssl=1 "PBKS vs MI, IPL 2026: Shardul Thakur four-for catches Punjab Kings off guard in Dharamshala There’s a certain inevitability about Shardul Thakur. He may not play half the games in a season, concede 15 runs off his first over – like he did against Punjab Kings in Dharamshala – and yet, produce moments of brilliance that turn a game on its head. He’s called ‘Lord’ Thakur and he lives up to his reputation.On Thursday, playing just his seventh game in IPL 2026, Shardul took four for 39 and brought a flourishing PBKS innings to a grinding halt, thus tilting the contest in Mumbai Indians’ favour.“It feels good to be back. You know, it’s not easy to sit out. But yes, the nature of the tournament is such where you have 25 players in the squad, lots of options. So, sometimes you’ve got to take it in your stride,” Shardul said.From his very first over, there was a spring in his step. The confidence of having captain and fellow pacer Jasprit Bumrah standing at mid off might have helped. There were lengthy discussions and arms flailing, asking fielders to move and adjust their angles. “I think I have my comfort level with him. We had a lot of discussions; I don’t know much about the other bowlers. But of course, he’s never shy of sharing his ideas,” Shardul said.READ | Our destiny is still in our hands, says Haddin as PBKS playoff hopes hang by a threadHowever, the start was far from ideal. Prabhsimran was settled and he simply used the pace to nudge the ball in gaps and pick boundaries. Shardul had to wait six overs for his next chance and on the very first delivery, Prabhsimran shuffled across the stumps and whipped him over square leg.“I knew that it was the fifth over where Punjab’s batters would also try to attack. And it was possible that I would go for more runs. But the T20 game is also like that. Sometimes, you have the intention to bowl good length but the batter plays a good shot. And Dharamshala is a venue that is at a high altitude. So, many times, the shot that might get the batter out on the boundary line at other stadiums, can go for six here,” Shardul said.But Shardul has the ability to catch you off guard when you least expect it.By the 11th over, MI’s insistence to hit the hard length was no longer a secret. It is what Prabhsimran was expecting, and hence, standing in his crease to play off his back foot. On the second delivery, Shardul threw a floater on a slightly fuller length. The result: Prabhsimran was left adjusting for length at the last instance and could only hand a top edge to deep third man.Shreyas Iyer punched his first delivery through point for four, but could do little more than stare at the pitch when the next delivery, a cross-seamed one, hit the pitch and nipped away to peg back his off stump.“I think there were too many ups and downs in this game. In PowerPlay, we started really well. But then, at the back end of the PowerPlay and at the start of the middle overs, there were few runs flowing. The tempo was constantly changing. So, as bowlers, it’s very difficult to keep coming back and bowling good deliveries. Because suddenly, there is a shift in tempo.“You think what are my shutdown options? Then, suddenly, there is a fall of one or two wickets and then you are looking for wickets. So, there were too many switches in the game itself. So, in that way, bowlers had to shift their mindset quite a lot,” Shardul said after the game.From 107 for one, PBKS was left at 111 for three in the space of six deliveries. The home side lost another two wickets in the next two overs and had been halted in its tracks. Shardul stuck to his cross-seamed deliveries and prised out another wicket in the 17th over, this time castling Marco Jansen by extracting the low bounce off the surface.“I wouldn’t say I was too happy with my bowling. I think I could have conceded six-seven runs fewer than what I did. But the four wickets that I took, yes, I am happy with that. I am happier that I was able to take those in a winning cause,” Shardul said.PBKS eked out a few bonus runs at the death by bringing in Vishnu Vinod as Impact Player. But Tilak Varma put up a show of his steely resolve to get MI over the line in chasing 201.“Kudos to Tilak, the way he held his nerve. He spent the time in the middle and looked to bat all 20 overs. And he selected his balls, he selected his areas where he needed to hit. And also, to start with, [Ryan] Rickleton, the way he provided us runs in the PowerPlay,” Shardul said.Published on May 15, 2026 #PBKS #IPL #Shardul #Thakur #fourfor #catches #Punjab #Kings #guard #Dharamshala")
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