WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson expressed cautious optimism Friday as the players' union and WNBA entered their fourth day of intense collective bargaining negotiations in New York. Jackson told reporters the continued conversations have helped 'chip away at what the concerns are for both sides,' stating 'movement is still the word' as talks progress. Both parties have worked double-digit hours daily since Tuesday's deadline, making headway on ancillary issues while sorting out complex revenue sharing systems.

The league and union exchanged Year 1 salary caps of $6.2 million (excluding revenue sharing) versus $9.5 million from the players' proposal. Jackson emphasized that a 'meaningful' revenue-tied system remains a top priority, though the sides remain far apart on key figures. 'We have to continue to do the dance and see where that nets out,' Jackson said, as players like Napheesa Collier joined the talks Friday evening.