The WNBA and the players' union, in the midst of collective bargaining agreement negotiations, will extend the current agreement for two months to aid in the process.
"The WNBA and WNBPA have agreed to extend the current collective bargaining agreement for 60 days to Dec. 31 and will continue discussions regarding a new agreement," the league and the Women's National Basketball Players Association said in a joint statement Monday.
The current CBA was set to expire at the end of the day on Oct. 31. That agreement was reached in March 2014, and originally ran through the 2021 season. But there was a provision to opt out of it after the 2019 season, which the WNBA players voted to do last year.
"We are committed to doing the work for the best agreement, and more time is required to accomplish that result," union executive director Terri Jackson said.
Jackson will meet on Wednesday with the union's executive committee and the Board of Advocates, which was formed in August.
The executive committee is made up of seven current players, led by president Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks. The Board of Advocates is made up of industry leaders in business, politics, entertainment, media and sport. It includes former NBA players Alex English and Jerry Stackhouse.
The Board of Advocates is not directly involved in negotiating, but its members were tapped by the executive committee for their perspective and expertise.