Annie Costabile
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anniecostabile.bsky.social
Annie Costabile
@anniecostabile.bsky.social
Women’s sports, Front Office Sports.
The WNBA and WNBPA will hold an in-person meeting in NYC on Monday.

The outcome of which could determine if the 30th season starts on time.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-pla...
WNBA Players, Owners Set for High-Stakes CBA Meeting
The start of the WNBA season could be on the line.
frontofficesports.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Unrivaled president, Alex Bazzell just addressed the contingent of media covering tonight's games and said in part, "We will be doing more of these in the future."

Additionally, he thanked everybody for their coverage of the league and expressed excitement about what's to come
January 30, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Latest from Unrivaled Philly, Kelsey Plum says a meeting between the WNBA and union is scheduled for Monday.

Additionally, Plum said not everyone will be able to make it. She said her and Napheesa Collier will be attending together and her hope is that owners will be present.
January 30, 2026 at 4:20 PM
The WNBA hasn’t responded to the union’s proposal in over a month & there have been no full bargaining sessions in 2026.

On where CBA discussions stand union prez Nneka Ogwumike tells me, “It's not a constructive way to continue on these negotiations…”

frontofficesports.com/nneka-ogwumi...
WNBA Union Leader Says CBA Talks Not ‘Constructive’
The league has not responded to the union’s latest proposal for a month. Time to start the season as scheduled is running short.
frontofficesports.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:50 PM
League One Volleyball has hired its first commissioner.

Former Nike exec & Brown basketball player Sandra Idehen was tapped to lead LOVB. I caught up with her yesterday to discuss her new role:

frontofficesports.com/lovb-nike-co...
League One Volleyball Hires Ex-Nike Exec as First Commissioner
Sandra Idehen takes over the women’s league this week.
frontofficesports.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:17 PM
As the WNBPA continues to wait for a response from the WNBA to a proposal sent over a month ago, the season falls further into jeopardy.

From Friday, but still relevant today:

frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-sea...
WNBA Could Be Weeks Away From Delaying Season
Despite releasing the schedule earlier this week, the WNBA likely needs to agree to a CBA by February to start the season on time.
frontofficesports.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:23 AM
Cari Champion and Jemele Hill are teaming up again for a new women's sports podcast, Flagrant and Funny.

A few things are certain: the takes will be hot, there will be ample roasting, and the gloves are coming all the way off.

frontofficesports.com/jemele-hill-...
Jemele Hill, Cari Champion Take Kid Gloves Off Women’s Sports Coverage
Jemele Hill and Cari Champion's new women’s sports talk show, Flagrant and Funny, will be debate-driven with occasional guest appearances.
frontofficesports.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Women's sports stars have a lengthy history of using their platforms to advocate for their communities.

This weekend was no different as Breanna Stewart & others shared messages denouncing ICE after the killing of Alex Pretti.

frontofficesports.com/breanna-stew...
Women's Sports Stars Denounce ICE After Minnesota Shootings
Breanna Stewart, who held an “abolish ICE” sign, is one of a growing number of athletes speaking out against ICE’s presence in Minneapolis.
frontofficesports.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:14 PM
The WNBA released the schedule for the 2026 season this week, but that does little to guarantee it will actually tip off on time.

The next two weeks will determine a lot in regards to the status of the league's 30th season.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-sea...
WNBA Could Be Weeks Away From Delaying Season
Despite releasing the schedule earlier this week, the WNBA likely needs to agree to a CBA by February to start the season on time.
frontofficesports.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:32 PM
The WNBA has announced its 2026 slate despite being in the midst of contentious CBA negotiations with the players union.

The league SAYS the season will tipoff May 8, but there is no guarantee at this point.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-schedul...
WNBA Announces Schedule Despite Lack of New CBA
The league is not looking to lengthen its season beyond 44 games in 2026 because of September's World Cup.
frontofficesports.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:44 PM
The WNBA is exploring buying back the 16% stake sold for $75 mil in 2022, multiple sources told me.

The deal—valuing the league at roughly $1 billion—was celebrated as a transformative measure. The WNBA has roughly quadrupled in value since.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-2022-st...
WNBA Exploring Buying Back 16% Stake Sold in 2022
The league sold the stake for $75 million when it badly needed capital.
frontofficesports.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:21 PM
WNBA training camp began April 27 last year.

The WNBA is currently proposing a start date as early as mid-March. Add Project B to the list of potential conflicts if the WNBA's footprint is expanded on the front end.

frontofficesports.com/project-b-to...
Project B Tokyo Stop Could Conflict with Proposed WNBA Start Date
The WNBA has proposed a much earlier start date in the protracted CBA negotiations.
frontofficesports.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Unrivaled ratings saw a steep drop year over year across its opening week slate. As the league's second season continues, viewership will be a big factor in its sustainability.

frontofficesports.com/unrivaled-ra...
Unrivaled Faces Stiff Challenges as Ratings Plunge to Start Year 2
Ratings are down significantly as the league begins its second season.
frontofficesports.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Project B just announced Tokyo as its first confirmed tour stop. Dates: March 26-April 4.

WNBA training camp began April 27 last year and as we know one of the proposals being discussed in CBA negotiations between the league and the union is an earlier start date.
January 14, 2026 at 12:25 AM
AUSL is done with the touring model.

In year 2 the league will play in host cities associated with each team.

More on those cities and how the league decided on them (FEATURING the correct link):

frontofficesports.com/athletes-unl...
Athletes Unlimited Softball League Drops Touring Model
The softball league, which expanded to six teams in the offseason, is putting down roots in six host cities for its second year.
frontofficesports.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:05 PM
AUSL is done with the touring model.

In year 2 the league will play in host cities associated with each team.

More on those cities and how the league decided on them:

frontofficesports.com/wnba-free-ag...
WNBA, Union Agree to Freeze Free Agency As CBA Talks Drag On
With the CBA in a status quo period, the sides needed to agree to a deal freezing free agency.
frontofficesports.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:10 PM
The WNBA and WNBPA have agreed to a moratorium for league business specific to free agency.

Put simply: qualifying offers, core designations, negotiations, and signings will all be paused until a new CBA is reached.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-free-ag...
WNBA, Union Agree to Freeze Free Agency as CBA Talks Drag On
With the CBA in a status quo period, the sides needed to agree to a deal freezing free agency.
frontofficesports.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:36 PM
WNBA free agency *technically* started on Sunday.

But as CBA negotiations remain deadlocked nobody is doing anything. At least not yet.

More on the proposed moratorium and Jan. 20 being a date to watch:

frontofficesports.com/wnba-free-ag...
WNBA Free Agency Technically Opens as Sides Discuss Moratorium
While free agency opened Sunday under the terms of the old CBA, players aren’t going anywhere.
frontofficesports.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Over the last two days the WNBA called every general manager to communicate they are permitted to send out qualifying offers to free agents despite CBA uncertainties.

What the period of status quo means for GMs:

frontofficesports.com/wnba-telling...
WNBA Telling Teams To Send Free Agent Offers Amid CBA Limbo
The league has called every team to tell them they can send out offers to free agents, sources tell FOS. But players are unlikely to sign.
frontofficesports.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:53 AM
CBA talks are stalled, but what does that mean for free agency?

Here’s what players at Unrivaled are saying:

frontofficesports.com/wnbas-stalle...
WNBA's Stalled CBA Talks Will Lead to a Free-Agency Sprint
Once the league and the WNBPA reach a new CBA, they'll be on a shortened timeline to complete free agency and an expansion draft.
frontofficesports.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:04 PM
The CBA will expire tonight with no deal or extension. As a result negotiations will enter a period of status quo.

The latest from Miami:

frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-dea...
WNBA, Players Won't Reach Labor Deal by Friday Deadline
Union vice president Breanna Stewart said that no deal was imminent but that the sides would continue to negotiate.
frontofficesports.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Two days ahead of the Jan. 9 deadline the WNBPA is still waiting on a response from the league to a proposal sent roughly two weeks ago.

That proposal includes an ask for roughly 30% of gross revenue and salary cap of about $10.5 million.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-players...
WNBA Hasn’t Countered Players’ Latest Offer as Deadline Closes In
Players are seeking a salary cap over $10 million and 30% of league revenue. The league believes it would cause onerous losses.
frontofficesports.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:45 PM
With its sophomore season, Unrivaled faces the daunting task of solidifying itself in an increasingly crowded women's basketball landscape.

Could partnering with the WNBA be the answer?

frontofficesports.com/unrivaled-fu...
Does Unrivaled’s Future Include a Deal With the WNBA?
The startup is one of several women’s leagues that have popped up in recent years during the WNBA offseason.
frontofficesports.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
The High Impact Player rule is here, but will it remain? The NWSLPA said it will take action to enforce the rights of players without specifying what that action is.

So, where does that leave Rodman?

frontofficesports.com/trinity-rodm...
Will 'Rodman Rule' Be Enough to Keep Trinity Rodman in NWSL?
The NWSL hopes the new High Impact Player rule will be the catalyst to keep Rodman and other superstars Stateside.
frontofficesports.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Can confirm Rockets ownership is in ongoing discussions with the Connecticut Sun regarding the possible sale and relocation of the franchise to Houston.

@alexaphilippou.bsky.social @ramonaespn.bsky.social first on today's news.

frontofficesports.com/rockets-owne...
Rockets Owners in Talks to Buy and Move WNBA's Sun
Several parties have tried to buy the Sun and keep the WNBA team on the East Coast, but Tilman Fertitta has remained interested throughout.
frontofficesports.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:32 PM