WNBA players authorize strike ‘when necessary’ as talks over new CBA stall

• Players vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike

• Revenue sharing and salaries remain key issues

• CBA deadline set to expire on 9 January

WNBA players have authorized their union’s executive council to call a strike if necessary, the union announced Thursday as it continues to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the league.

The WNBPA and league have been negotiating a new agreement for the past few months, extending the deadline a couple of times with the latest one set to expire on 9 January. The move gives union negotiators another tool to use in talks.