Conversations With Cully and Conlon is back with legendary UConn Women's Basketball star, Western Connecticut State University Head coach, Maria Conlon. We talk about NBA free agency and WNBA All Star game. The upcoming talks for the new WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement have not gone well according to reports. Both sides are far apart, and this could not come at a worse time.
The league is healthier than ever, ticket sales, attendance, television ratings are the highest in history. A lockout or strike could slow the momentum. There has also been talk about a conflict of interest or collusion between some of the players who represent the WNBA. If there is indeed a work stoppage, the new 3 on 3 league, Unrivalled, which had an excellent first season, would benefit tremendously.
They would be the only women's pro basketball league in the United States and already pay players well, so they do not have to go overseas for extra income. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Maria believes with a 200 million dollar a year television deal at stake, cooler heads will prevail and a deal with come to fruition.