Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts following a home victory at the Oakland Coliseum, where Nov 3, 2019 capped a competitive afternoon against the Detroit Lions as he acknowledged the crowd and celebrated with teammates on the field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports..
A few days ago, when Derek Carr teased unretirement, some fans backhandedly said, “Maybe he’ll end up with the Vikings.” Now, thanks to NFL.com, there’s an actual Carr rumor train for the purple team. Nick Shook published an article Wednesday of Carr’s would-be landing spots, and wouldn’t you know it? The Vikings earned a mention.
The Vikings are getting linked to Carr, though any real traction depends on cost and the J.J. McCarthy plan.
Carr-to-Minnesota is probably a long shot, generally speaking, but until the Vikings officially trade for or sign their J.J. McCarthy alternative, Carr’s name will live in the conversation.
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Derek Carr Fodder Swirls around Minnesota
No, Carr may not be done just yet.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) scrambles against the Denver Broncos during the first half on Dec. 26, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, accelerating into open space as the Raiders fought to keep their postseason hopes alive in a tightly contested AFC West showdown. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NFL.com: Vikings Make Carr Shortlist
So, the Carr rumor mill is here. Shook wrote, “If Carr is interested in manning a backup role that could include a camp competition for the starting job, he’ll find that in Minnesota. J.J. McCarthy didn’t cement his role as the Vikings’ franchise quarterback in his first season as their starter and has plenty of work ahead of him this offseason.”
“Minnesota might not exercise as much patience in 2026, either, not after they watched their playoff hopes evaporate this past season because of unreliability under center.”
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If you’re not familiar with Carr’s career, he’s basically another Kirk Cousins — not great, not bad, just pretty good.
Shook continued, “Carr would address Minnesota’s need for a proven veteran capable of handling the job — an area which former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah admitted he’d misjudged prior to being fired in January — and could also push McCarthy in camp. Carr might also be enticed by the presence of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.”
“Ultimately, this fit might depend on whether Carr is interested in competing for a job, or if he’d rather walk into a situation that has him penciled in as QB1. Money matters, too, and the Vikings have a salary cap hole to dig out of before they can start thinking about Carr.”
The other squads on Shook’s list? The Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins.
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Carr’s Stats Since 2014
Carr didn’t play in 2025 — he retired — but his usual resume as a starter looks like this when spread to a 17-game season:
The guy isn’t afraid to fling it and has started nearly 170 games in his career. His teams own a 77-92 (.455) record in those contests, mostly dragged down by Carr playing for the Raiders, a franchise known for losing and general dysfunction over the last couple of decades.
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Carr would, however, provide Cousins-like efficiency. Here’s his EPA+CPOE ranking resume from the last decade:
Onboarding Carr would basically boil down to whether the Vikings want an old quarterback as the solution or prefer youth that McCarthy or another player might provide.
The Trade Hassle
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Of course, getting Carr wouldn’t be as simple as signing him to a modest contract. Like Sean Payton a few years ago, the Saints hold Carr’s contractual rights, meaning they can control his future and demand a draft pick in a trade. Next offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers can do the same with coach Mike Tomlin if they’re in the mood.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates a key sequence against the Denver Broncos in the second half on Dec. 26, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, reacting with visible emotion as Las Vegas battled to strengthen its position in the crowded AFC playoff race. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Carr won’t break the bank via trade, but there’s a small chance that New Orleans holds him hostage, demanding a late-round pick for his services. That complicates his unretirement just a bit.
A Solution Congruent with Vikings History — for Better or Worse
While fans will debate whether Carr moves the needle as a QB1 or QB2 solution in 2026, one observation is obvious: adding him to the depth chart as a starter would be The Viking way.
In the last 35 years, the Vikings have sought these veteran quarterbacks as solutions after failing to draft one on their own who lasted for longer than a season or a few:
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Sam Bradford
Matt Cassel
Kirk Cousins
Randall Cunningham
Sam Darnold
Jeff George
Brett Favre
Case Keenum
Jim McMahon
Donovan McNabb
Warren Moon
It’s not normal to find that many retreads for QB1 duty. Most teams haven’t relied on that many, instead relying on the draft to foster and cultivate quarterbacks. The Viking Way is just a little bit different.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) fires a pass against the New England Patriots in the second half on Oct. 8, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, attempting to generate rhythm and momentum for his offense during a challenging road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
The move would also keep the Vikings right in the “middle” of the NFL — giving the perception that the club is afraid to roll the dice on McCarthy’s development. preferring the safe harbor of Carr’s age-35 ceiling that likely won’t result in a Super Bowl.
Thanks to Endrick’s lucky goal in the final minutes of the game, Lyon still have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League quarter-finals when they play at home next week. Meanwhile, Lille conceded a goal against Aston Villa and now need a miracle to continue their European adventure.
In other sports news, Armand Duplantis added another centimetre to his pole vault world record, clearing 6.31 metres in Sweden to break his own mark. In rugby, the French XV are preparing to face England in the traditional ‘Crunch’ match, marking its 120th anniversary this year. It’s a must-win game for France, who are looking to bounce back after last week’s defeat in Scotland.
LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic had 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, LeBron James added 18 points in his return after missing three games because of injuries and the Los Angeles Lakers used a strong third quarter to defeat the Chicago Bulls 142-130 on Thursday night.
Doncic scored 50 points for the first time as a Laker following the blockbuster trade that sent him from Dallas to Los Angeles in February 2025. It was Doncic’s 13th 40-point game in 82 appearances for Los Angeles, moving into ninth in franchise history.
Austin Reaves chipped in with 30 points, Deandre Ayton had 23 points and 10 rebounds for his 20th double-double of the season, and the Lakers’ four-game winning streak is their longest since running off seven in a row Nov. 14-30.
Los Angeles moved ahead of the idle Houston Rockets into third place in the Western Conference.
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Josh Giddey scored 27 points and Matas Buzelis had 22 for the short-handed Bulls, who have alternated wins and losses over their past six games following 11 straight losses in February.
James started off sluggish after being sidelined by a right hip contusion and arthritis in his left foot, picking up his only points of the first half on a layup and free throw for a three-point play with 54 seconds remaining. The sequence sparked James, 41, and he made all five of his shots from the field in the third quarter to finish with 11 points in the period.
Giddey and Buzelis combined to go 10 for 20 from 3-point range, finding their shot in the second quarter and keeping the Bulls in striking distance for most of the game. Chicago ended up 15 for 36 from deep.
VANCOUVER — All he wanted to do when he came to the Vancouver Canucks was win because, really, that’s all Jake DeBrusk had done in his first seven National Hockey League seasons with the Boston Bruins. Mostly, all he has done since he got here is lose.
So when DeBrusk, after his lowest ice time this season, was able to flip a forehand under the crossbar in the shootout to give the Canucks a stunning 4-3 win Thursday against the Nashville Predators, the 29-year-old winger was able to enjoy a rare moment of satisfaction knowing that he had actually helped his team win.
“Yeah, it feels rare,” he smiled. “I’ve had a couple chances in the shootouts with that move; I’ve hit, like, three posts or three cross bars, something like that. So it was nice to see it actually work for once and, yeah, it feels good. Any way that I can help feels awesome.”
Signed to a seven-year free-agent contract by the Canucks two summers ago largely for his 86-game playoff resume, DeBrusk was among names of veteran Vancouver players being tossed like confetti in trade conjecture ahead of last Friday’s NHL deals deadline.
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He told PostMedia last week that he was “not built for rebuilds,” a remark reflecting frustration that DeBrusk quickly walked back the next day.
But the agony of this season on the Canucks’ handful of senior players has been obvious. Instead of playing for a Stanley Cup, they’re expected to lead the academy of prospects the organization is amassing for its rebuild.
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“It is what it is, you know,” DeBrusk said. “Mentally, I mean, it’s not easy for anybody. Nights like tonight, we can celebrate a little win. Obviously, it hasn’t been as many times as we’re all used to. But yeah, mentally, it’s been the hardest year of my career. This year, it seems like it’s just not (my year). I think I’ve talked enough about it, but it really does hit home. At the same time, you’ve still got a job to do.
“You’re playing in the best league in the world. Doesn’t matter if you get five minutes, 15 minutes or 20, if we win a game — as I’ve said since I’ve been here — I don’t care.”
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Thursday’s win was just the seventh in 32 home games for the Canucks. Let that sink in a minute.
DeBrusk, who scored 28 goals last season, has just 14 in 64 games this season, only three of them at even strength. The Edmontonian has played one less game than the Canucks because coach Adam Foote healthy-scratched him Dec. 29 in Seattle.
DeBrusk has one goal in his last 13 games, two in his last 22. Playing on the fourth line Thursday, he saw just 9:53 of ice time in regulation and made a coverage mistake on the first Nashville goal as the Predators built a 3-1 lead.
But after Marco Rossi scored on a rebound for Vancouver with 4:05 remaining in the third period, and Filip Hronek tied it 3-3 with a top-corner bullet at six-on-five with a minute to go, Foote gave DeBrusk two shifts in overtime. Then he sent out the veteran to score the only goal of the shootout against Juuse Saros.
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“You’ve just got to be a good pro and just be yourself,” DeBrusk said. “You’re human and you can show that, too. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being disappointed in your play, and if you’re not doing well, try to respond. I’ve already been a healthy scratch. The response maybe hasn’t been what I wanted or what we’ve wanted as a team. But what am I going to do? (Former Boston captain) Patrice Bergeron used to say ‘every shift is a gift.’ Dude, I’m lucky to be out there.”
Besides Hronek and DeBrusk, another of the veteran leaders remaining in Vancouver, Brock Boeser, scored the Canucks’ first goal.
All of the younger players are watching them.
“You can’t imagine what they’re going through personally,” rookie defenceman Zeev Buium, one of 12 skaters Foote used in overtime, said of the Canuck elders. “Their expectation was probably to go to the playoffs and try to make a push and, obviously, things changed a lot for them. I mean, they were in Game 7 (of the second round) two years ago, right? You probably think you’re contending for a Cup this year. A lot has changed.
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“But I just think those guys have been great. I mean, Fil, J.D. (DeBrusk), all of them, I mean, they’re there for us. I think they’re trying to set a culture here that, you know, needs to be in place for now and forever, and I think they’re doing a great job of it. Things haven’t been easy, but to get wins like this, they mean a lot to us.”
A declining Nashville team loaded with veterans lost to a young Vancouver team that is hopelessly at the bottom of the overall standings.
Obviously, the Canucks don’t want to be there beyond this season. A comeback win like Thursday against a Predators team still desperately trying to make the playoffs helps fuel hope.
“This starts with the guys getting together, caring about each other and doing it for the guy next to you,” Buium said. “After the last couple of weeks, just with everything going on, after the deadline everything kind of calmed down and we were able to focus on each other. I think that kind of showed out there tonight. You could tell that we weren’t going to give up on each other. It was pretty cool to see the place explode when Fil scored.”
Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Martin Bakole are all being targeted by a world-ranked heavyweight contender, with Bakole representing a particularly “personal” option.
The 34-year-old has not fought since his controversial draw with Efe Ajagba in May, when many believed he should have been handed a points defeat.
It was back in 2022, though, that the Congolese giant claimed arguably a more surprising upset victory by edging a majority decision against Tony Yoka.
Back then, this was considered little more than a development fight for Yoka, who had crafted an unbeaten record after claiming gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
After losing to Bakole, though, the Frenchman later suffered split decision defeats to Carlos Takam and Ryad Merhy, before reigniting his career with four wins on the bounce.
Now gearing up to face former world cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie at the Adidas Arena, Paris, on April 25, the 33-year-old hopes to eventually exact his revenge on Bakole.
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Speaking with Playbook Boxing, Yoka – who is of Congolese descent – named Bakole, Joshua and Fury as three potential opponents after his clash with Okolie.
“I need to beat Bakole – that’s personal. That’s the first fight I lost, we’re both from the same country [The Democratic Republic of the Congo] and we need to make that happen over there, in Kinshasa.
“So I need to beat Bakole first, then I would love to fight Anthony. That would be a great fight, just because it would be so big – especially in my country [France]. It would be two Olympic gold medallists fighting in a stadium.
“And why not Tyson Fury? Tyson Fury’s one of the greatest [heavyweight] boxers ever. He’s so strange, but also he’s just too good.”
It is yet to become clear who Joshua will face in his comeback fight, which has been slated for July by Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.
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Fury, meanwhile, will face Arslanbek Makhmudov at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11 after ending his year-long retirement in January.
The Indian women’s hockey team delivered a commanding 4–1 victory over Wales in their Pool B clash at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2026 in Hyderabad, confirming their place in the upcoming FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup.
Star forward Navneet Kaur stole the spotlight with a brilliant hat-trick, while Sakshi Rana opened the scoring at the G. M. C. Balayogi Hockey Stadium on Wednesday evening. With the emphatic win, India not only finished strongly in the pool stage but also secured qualification for the global event set to be held next year in Belgium and the Netherlands.
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India Start Strong Against Wales
India began the match with intensity, overwhelming Wales with aggressive pressing and quick attacking moves.
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The breakthrough came in the 7th minute when Salima Tete surged down the right flank and set up Sakshi Rana, who unleashed a powerful reverse hit from the edge of the circle to give the hosts a 1–0 lead.
Wales attempted to respond midway through the second quarter but Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi produced a crucial save to deny their first penalty corner opportunity.
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Just before halftime, Navneet Kaur doubled India’s advantage. The forward converted a penalty corner with a precise low drag-flick in the 29th minute, sending India into the break with a comfortable 2–0 lead.
Navneet Kaur Leads the Charge
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Navneet continued her outstanding performance in the second half. She added her second goal with another penalty corner conversion, extending India’s lead to 3–0 and firmly putting the hosts in control of the contest.
The Indian attack maintained relentless pressure, with players like Sunelita Toppo combining effectively with Sakshi Rana to stretch the Welsh defence.
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Wales Show Brief Resistance
Wales managed to pull one goal back in the 39th minute through Betsan Thomas, who capitalized on a counterattack and slotted the ball home from a tight angle.
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The visitors briefly threatened to close the gap further but India quickly regained control of possession and territory.
In the final quarter, Wales had a chance to reduce the deficit after earning a penalty stroke, but the attempt was missed.
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Navneet Kaur then wrapped up the match in style by converting a penalty stroke in the 55th minute, completing her hat-trick and sealing India’s dominant 4-1 victory.
India Secure Top Spot in Pool B
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The win ensured that India finished top of Pool B in the Hyderabad qualifiers. Importantly, it also helped the hosts avoid a potential semifinal clash with England, giving them a more favorable route as the knockout stages approach.
Head coach Joerd Marijne had earlier stressed the need for improved finishing following India’s 2–2 draw against Scotland, and the team responded with a clinical attacking display against Wales.
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India will now face Italy in the semifinals as they aim to secure a place in the final of the qualifiers.
How India qualified for the Women’s Hockey World Cup before semis?
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Qualification for the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup is being determined through two separate qualifying tournaments, each featuring eight teams, making 16 teams in total competing for seven World Cup spots.
The first qualifying event in Santiago, Chile, has already concluded, with Chile, Australia, and Ireland confirming their World Cup places.
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The Hyderabad qualifiers provide three automatic spots for the teams that finish in the top positions.
The seventh and final spot is reserved for the highest-ranked team (in the FIH World Rankings) that finishes fourth in either tournament.
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In the Santiago event, Japan, currently ranked No. 15 in the world, finished fourth. India, however, are ranked No. 9 in the world.
Because of this ranking gap, India would have to suffer a massive points drop from losing their remaining matches to fall below Japan in the rankings, a scenario that is mathematically impossible. As a result, India secured their World Cup qualification even before the semifinals of the Hyderabad event.
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A boost ahead of the global stage
India’s dominant performance, highlighted by Navneet Kaur’s hat-trick, not only secured a convincing win but also confirmed their participation in the next Women’s Hockey World Cup.
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With momentum on their side and a semifinal clash against Italy ahead, the Indian team will now aim to carry this form forward as they prepare for the biggest stage in international women’s hockey.
Cradle Breaches are a new gameplay feature added in Warzone Black Ops Royale as a part of the latest update. These are basically hotspot areas on the Avalon map where players can find high-tier loot and take part in some activities during a match. The zones are dangerous as they spawn zombies, powerfulbosses, and real opponents. If you manage to complete the activities, you can earn various rewards, including Exotic Weapons and Armors.
Read on to know more about Cradle Breaches in Warzone Black Ops Royale.
Cradle Breaches in Warzone Black Ops Royale: Explained
Cradle Breaches are the new hotspot locations in Warzone Black Ops Royale that offer high-risk, high-reward gameplay. These zones are extremely dangerous as they are filled with hordes of zombies, along with real opponents to face off against. During a match, a jet will fly over the area and drop a Cradle Gas Bomb into the ground.
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A still of Cradle Breaches gameplay in Warzone Black Ops Royale (Image via Activision)
This drops a tube structure that releases red smoke, which soon covers the surrounding areas. Any players inside the zone will then start hallucinating and encounter zombies. The real challenge during this time is that the zombies can easily distract you, and you’ll struggle to fight actual opponents.
An image showcasing the Mystery Box after defeating zombies (Image via Activision)
The red smoke stays for a certain period of time, and when it clears out, all enemies and reward opportunities disappear. Cradle Breaches also offer players two activities, which arefighting the Mangler and opening the Mystery Box.
The Mangler is a powerful Cradle Boss that offers high-tier loot once you defeat it. To get the Mystery Boxes, you need todefeat the hordes of zombies. Once they are defeated, a wooden box will drop, which contains Exotic Weapons as a reward.
Their first meeting took place back in May 2015, where Mayweather claimed a unanimous decision victory, before he eventually hung up the gloves in 2017.
Two-time world heavyweight champion Fury doesn’t seem too impressed by the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao rematch though, after telling Gareth A. Davies that he feels the two men shouldn’t be fighting at their age.
“If you look at Pacquiao and Mayweather, they were the top boys at boxing in the early 2000s. They were the kingpins and then they had to move over and we took over [as] the heavyweights.
“Me and Wilder carried it for a long time and Joshua as well. It keeps changing. You can’t relive your youth. Grandfather time takes over.
“These guys are nearly 50-years-old. Is it for the right reasons? Probably not. What I’m hearing is it’s all financial reasons. People can pretend they’re rich. If you’re that rich and that secure, you wouldn’t want to be fighting at 50-years-old. That’s a fact.”
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If Fury’s comments are anything to go by, it seems he has no intention of competing in his 40s, but he will return to the ring at the age of 37 when he faces Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11.
Jack Draper‘s Indian Wells title defence ended in controversial circumstances during his quarter-final defeat to Daniil Medvedev, with a contentious hindrance call proving pivotal in the 6-1 7-5 loss.
The decisive moment arrived at 5-5, 0-15 in the second set. Umpire Aurelie Torte, after a video review, awarded a crucial point to Medvedev.
The call came after Draper, visibly weary from his victory over Novak Djokovic less than 24 hours earlier, raised his arms at a disputed line call, deemed to have distracted his opponent. This controversial decision allowed Medvedev to secure a vital break.
The California crowd made their feelings clear, booing Medvedev at the change of ends and after he sealed victory.
The two players had a long chat at the net as they shook hands, with Medvedev saying “If you’re mad at me, I’m sorry” and Draper responding “I’m not at all – but I don’t think it distracted you enough”.
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Despite the contentious circumstances, Draper shook hands with both Medvedev and Torte before leaving the court.
The opening set had been one-sided, with Draper broken in his first service game after a net cord favoured Medvedev, who then raced to a 4-0 lead within 15 minutes.
Jack Draper gestures toward a chair umpire during a quarterfinal match against Daniil Medvedev (AP)
Draper finally got on the board with a hold of serve to make it 5-1 but it was only a temporary reprieve as Medvedev wrapped up the set in 25 minutes.
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The second set was a closer contest, although it was the Draper serve which was consistently coming under the greater pressure, with Medvedev telling his opponent he “didn’t feel great” about the incident which ultimately contributed to him sealing a semi-final spot at the end of the match.
British interest in the singles came to an end as Cameron Norrie went down 6-3 6-4 to Carlos Alcaraz.
The British number two fought gamely against the world number one but was eventually outclassed.
Norrie struggled to land a blow on the Alcaraz serve in the early stages while struggling to hold his own and the 30-year-old was eventually broken in the sixth game of the contest.
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Jack Draper, looking understandably weary from his exploits in beating Novak Djokovic less than 24 hours earlier, went down 6-1 7-5 to Daniil Medvedev (Getty Images)
Surprisingly that led to a temporary lapse of concentration from the Spaniard, who was broken back to love only to then force a third straight break before wrapping up the opening set.
Norrie gained an early break in the second set but his own service problems saw Alcaraz haul his way back in front.
Norrie saved the first three match points he faced but Alcaraz duly converted the fourth to set up a semi-final showdown with Medvedev.
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In the women’s singles, Elena Rybakina overcame Jessica Pegula in straight sets and will face Elina Svitolina in the last four.
Kimi Antonelli has been summoned to the Formula 1 stewards after allegedly impeding Lando Norris during qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race.
The Mercedes driver was going slowly on the inside of Turn 1 causing Norris to back off, before reporting to his McLaren team that “I was going to push that lap” during SQ2.
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Both progressed from the session regardless and Antonelli eventually qualified second behind team-mate George Russell for Saturday’s race, while the reigning world champion took third.
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After the session, Antonelli said: “Yeah, the pace is very strong. Just didn’t put the lap together at the end on the soft. So, yeah, still work to do. But obviously, congrats to George and all to play for tomorrow.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
If he is found guilty then the usual punishment is a three-place grid drop, which would push Norris onto the front row with the second shared between Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri.
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Antonelli would therefore start fifth ahead of sixth-placed Charles Leclerc, but the Italian teen would be expected to progress quite quickly given the superiority of the Mercedes.
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The Silver Arrows took a 1-2 in both qualifying and the race at last weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, having absolutely nailed the switch to these all-new 2026 machines.
“I’m feeling good in the car,” said Antonelli. “So, there obviously is more about details trying to put all together. But yeah, tomorrow we try to have a good start and then try to have a good quali.”
NEW YORK — The WNBA and its players’ union met for more than 14 hours during a third straight day of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
The session that began at 11 a.m. EDT Thursday continued into early Friday morning. The two sides have met for more than 36 hours since first getting together in-person Tuesday – the day the league had said there would need to be at least a handshake agreement for the season to start on time.
The sides exchanged more proposals Thursday and the main sticking point remains revenue sharing.
The executive committee players in the bargaining session — Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart, Alysha Clark and Brianna Turner — all left around midnight, while union leadership including executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson remained to continue discussions.
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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Wednesday that the last proposal from that night was a “real historic and transformational deal” for the players.
“Huge gains and salaries, benefits, everything you’re seeing, but beyond that when you see the whole thing, huge, huge benefits,” she said. “We’re proud of the deal we have on the table. I think it’s, again, huge gains for the players, while again, balancing that with the health of the league.”
The proposal Wednesday night from the league increased its salary cap offer for the first year to $6.2 million — up from $5.75 million in previous negotiations, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.
Last year, the salary cap for each team was $1.5 million. Average player salaries were $120,000, and that figure stands to increase to $570,000 in the first year and $850,000 by the sixth year, according to the person. The maximum salary in the first year would be more than $1.3 million and nearly $2 million by the final year.
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The league had said that at least a handshake agreement on a labor deal would need to be done by Tuesday to start the season as scheduled. Ogwumike said Wednesday night the union never saw the deadline from two days ago as a real thing.
“We haven’t ever really considered that as a timeline that’s been something to prioritize on our side, because we have always been negotiating in good faith,” she said.
When a deal is reached in principle, the league has said it would need a few weeks to finish off the CBA. After that work is done, the expansion draft for new franchises in Portland and Toronto would be held sometime between April 1-6, according to a timetable obtained by the AP.
Free agent qualifying offers, including franchise player tags, would be sent out April 7-8. Teams would then have three days to negotiate with the more than 80 per cent of players who are free agents. The signing period would take place from April 12-18.
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Training camps would open the next day and the season would be able to start on May 8.
But for any of that to happen, the two sides have to figure out a revenue sharing model. The union’s proposal from a week ago had asked for an average of 26 per cent of the gross revenue — revenue before expenses — over the course of the CBA. That would include only 25 per cent in the first year. The league has said that number was unrealistic.
The WNBA’s last few proposals have offered more than 70% of net revenue, with that number going up as the league continues to grow.
