WNBA players union opts out of current CBA

NEW YORK>> The WNBA players union decided to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement, two years before its expiration. The league and players union had the option to do so before Nov. 1.

The early opt-out marks a crucial juncture for the league. The WNBA signed a historic 11-year media rights deal worth $200 million a year.

The league had record attendance and viewership this year that culminated in the WNBA Finals that saw New York beat Minnesota in overtime on Sunday in a decisive fifth game.

“This is a defining moment not just for the WNBA, but for all of us who believe in progress,” WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike said Monday. “The world has evolved since 2020 and we cannot afford to stand still. If we stay in the current agreement, we fall behind. This is a new era and we are ready to lead transformational change.”

The league has been skyrocketing, with 2024 marking a huge breakthrough after years of significant and sustained growth. ESPN had huge increases in ratings with viewership in the regular season going up 170%, according to the union.

The current CBA will still cover the 2025 season so the two sides have a year to negotiate a new agreement.

Circuit of the Americas fined nearly $550,000

AUSTIN, Texas>> The governing body for Formula 1 fined the organizers of the United States Grand Prix nearly $550,000 after a group of spectators invaded the track at the Circuit of the Americas while cars were still finishing their cooldown lap following Sunday’s race.

The FIA said about 200 fans in the grandstand opposite pit lane climbed a fence, dropped about 6 feet, then cleared another fence and barrier to get to the track itself. Fans are allowed in the area for the postrace podium celebrations but only after all the cars are off the track.

Osaka to miss remainder of WTA season with injury

HONG KONG>> Naomi Osaka will miss the remainder of the WTA tour due to a back injury. The Hong Kong Open set to begin on Oct. 28 announced on its social media channels that the four-time Grand Slam singles champion is not only withdrawing from the tournament but also ending her season early. The WTA also made the announcement on its website.

Osaka retired from her fourth-round match against Coco Gauff at the China Open three weeks ago and has not played since.

Woods to make TGL indoor league debut in 2nd week

Tiger Woods will be making his debut in the TMRW Golf League the second week of the season after the NFL wild-card weekend. The new indoor league kicks off in January and TGL has released its schedule for all six teams. It starts Jan. 7 with the New York team facing The Bay Golf Club of San Francisco.

All matches are played in the new SoFi Center in south Florida. The matches are in prime time on ESPN.

Asking price above $1,300 for Series resale tickets

NEW YORK>> Resale tickets for the World Series opener at Dodger Stadium against the New York Yankees started at $1,358 on Monday evening on StubHub. StubHub said sales outpaced last year’s final figures and are four times higher than the pace of the 2022 Series. Sales for Games 3-5 in New York are 40% higher than for Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 in L.A.