Senior Night on CBSSN

[uconnfan68]

That was exactly what happened in 1998 when Nykesha Sales was allowed to score her 2178th point to break the UConn WBB career scoring record. Sales had ruptured her Achilles tendon and would otherwise be unable to play, falling just 1 point short of the all time scoring record, held by Kerry Bascom at that time.

Geno worked out a deal with his good friend Harry Paretta, the HC at Villanova, to allow Sales to make an uncontested layup, after which Villanova was allowed to make their own uncontested layup, at which point Sales returned to the bench and the real game began.

There was a lot of controversy about that agreement between Geno & Harry Perretta. But for the most part, it was widely supported by UConn fans.

Other teams have done that too. Just not as publicly scorned as Geno was.

 

[Dugway]

This is an interesting factor I had not previously thought of. With the major increases in attendance, TV ratings and the Caitlin Clark factor, the new contract is likely to be way way better than the old one. Someone like Clark being stuck with the existing rookie contract for several years is a real negative.

This could be a factor for several draft eligible players this year, Miles?, Betts has already said she will return etc. The one downside of waiting a year, might be that it could delay by one year when a top WNBA player could first test free agency. But who knows, the new contract might reduce the length of time a rookie is under contract to the team that drafts them too.

Anyway all things considered, I think you raise a very interesting point that could indeed cause several players to return that might not have otherwise.

Can someone help me, I've seen similar comments and am not fully understanding.

Caitlin Clark is in a rookie contract for three remaining years. Aaliyah Boston the prior year's #1, would still have two remaining on her rookie contract. Paige Bueckers would be in the same rookie contract for a total of four years and assuming that she does in fact enter, must have no quarrels about it. And of course, all of those others who were not #1 draft choices, but are still in the league such as Olivia, Dorka, Lou, Nika, Aaliyah, and the fifty or so others. And of course, there are all of the players who are no longer on the rookie contract, however, they are contracted with a team and likely for multiple years.

Is the idea that there is a potential that a renegotiated collective bargaining agreement would not protect those players who are under an existing contract, rookies or elsewise which would probably amount to about 90% of the players? That those players would have to live through their existing contract terms with no chance of adjustments? However, with the new renegotiated CBA those who timed their free agency just perfectly and/or those players still in college who've yet to enter into the league, only they would be the lucky beneficiaries?

 

[oldude]

Can someone help me, I've seen similar comments and am not fully understanding.

Caitlin Clark is in a rookie contract for three remaining years. Aaliyah Boston the prior year's #1, would still have two remaining on her rookie contract. Paige Bueckers would be in the same rookie contract for a total of four years and assuming that she does in fact enter, must have no quarrels about it. And of course, all of those others who were not #1 draft choices, but are still in the league such as Olivia, Dorka, Lou, Nika, Aaliyah, and the fifty or so others. And of course, there are all of the players who are no longer on the rookie contract, however, they are contracted with a team and likely for multiple years.

Is the idea that there is a potential that a renegotiated collective bargaining agreement would not protect those players who are under an existing contract, rookies or elsewise which would probably amount to about 90% of the players? That those players would have to live through their existing contract terms with no chance of adjustments? However, with the new renegotiated CBA those who timed their free agency just perfectly and/or those players still in college who've yet to enter into the league, only they would be the lucky beneficiaries?

Any player currently under a rookie contract is locked into that contract under the current CBA for their 1st three years plus a team option for year 4. The current CBA runs through the upcoming 2025 season. So a player like Paige who may enter the W in 2025, would be covered under the current CBA for their next 4 seasons, even if a new CBA is negotiated for 2026.

As for veteran players no longer covered under rookie contracts, there are but a handful (less than 5?) under contract beyond 2025. Most veterans either have their contracts expiring at the end of the 2025 season or they have signed 1-year contracts in anticipation of significantly more money available under the new CBA in 2026.

 

[MooseJaw]

Can someone help me, I've seen similar comments and am not fully understanding.

Caitlin Clark is in a rookie contract for three remaining years. Aaliyah Boston the prior year's #1, would still have two remaining on her rookie contract. Paige Bueckers would be in the same rookie contract for a total of four years and assuming that she does in fact enter, must have no quarrels about it. And of course, all of those others who were not #1 draft choices, but are still in the league such as Olivia, Dorka, Lou, Nika, Aaliyah, and the fifty or so others. And of course, there are all of the players who are no longer on the rookie contract, however, they are contracted with a team and likely for multiple years.

Is the idea that there is a potential that a renegotiated collective bargaining agreement would not protect those players who are under an existing contract, rookies or elsewise which would probably amount to about 90% of the players? That those players would have to live through their existing contract terms with no chance of adjustments? However, with the new renegotiated CBA those who timed their free agency just perfectly and/or those players still in college who've yet to enter into the league, only they would be the lucky beneficiaries?

Sign a contract and, you have locked up for you whatever is in the contract. Unless both parties agree to terminate.

 

[Dugway]

Any player currently under a rookie contract is locked into that contract under the current CBA for their 1st three years plus a team option for year 4. The current CBA runs through the upcoming 2025 season. So a player like Paige who may enter the W in 2025, would be covered under the current CBA for their next 4 seasons, even if a new CBA is negotiated for 2026.

As for veteran players no longer covered under rookie contracts, there are but a handful (less than 5?) under contract beyond 2025. Most veterans either have their contracts expiring at the end of the 2025 season or they have signed 1-year contracts in anticipation of significantly more money available under the new CBA in 2026.

Sign a contract and, you have locked up for you whatever is in the contract. Unless both parties agree to terminate.

Ah! I didn't realize that so few veteran players were not under contract beyond next year (less than 5). Somehow I was thinking it was the exact opposite. So, in reality other than those who are in the rookie contracts, sounds like basically the entire league will be free agents come collective bargaining time.

And you are right MooseJaw, I had anticipated that the 'both parties agree to terminate' would be part of that collective bargaining renegotiation, particularly if it included all of the veteran players (but I guess there is not too many of them).

 

[VA Huskie]

That was exactly what happened in 1998 when Nykesha Sales was allowed to score her 2178th point to break the UConn WBB career scoring record. Sales had ruptured her Achilles tendon and would otherwise be unable to play, falling just 1 point short of the all time scoring record, held by Kerry Bascom at that time.

Geno worked out a deal with his good friend Harry Paretta, the HC at Villanova, to allow Sales to make an uncontested layup, after which Villanova was allowed to make their own uncontested layup, at which point Sales returned to the bench and the real game began.

There was a lot of controversy about that agreement between Geno & Harry Perretta. But for the most part, it was widely supported by UConn fans.

In addition, I believe that Geno got Kerry’s “ok” to allow Sales to break her record. Pretty classy.

 

[MilfordHusky]

MilfordHusky: you have been right so many times in the past, that I'm counting on your post being correct. Thanks for the info.

Don’t bet the ranch on it. I haven’t talked to Tim or Katie in about 3 years. I’m hoping! I think she can use the experience. And she wants to finish her Masters degree. We may know on Senior Night, in just over a week.

 

[Bald Husky]

That was exactly what happened in 1998 when Nykesha Sales was allowed to score her 2178th point to break the UConn WBB career scoring record. Sales had ruptured her Achilles tendon and would otherwise be unable to play, falling just 1 point short of the all time scoring record, held by Kerry Bascom at that time.

Geno worked out a deal with his good friend Harry Paretta, the HC at Villanova, to allow Sales to make an uncontested layup, after which Villanova was allowed to make their own uncontested layup, at which point Sales returned to the bench and the real game began.

There was a lot of controversy about that agreement between Geno & Harry Perretta. But for the most part, it was widely supported by UConn fans.

Not the same thing, Sales just had surgery and could only stand under the basket to make the lay-up. Caroline has been showing up in pre-game workouts on many games. I'm sure she can play for 4-5 minutes, and I'm also sure she would prefer it that way.

 

[oldhusky]

Any player currently under a rookie contract is locked into that contract under the current CBA for their 1st three years plus a team option for year 4. The current CBA runs through the upcoming 2025 season. So a player like Paige who may enter the W in 2025, would be covered under the current CBA for their next 4 seasons, even if a new CBA is negotiated for 2026.

As for veteran players no longer covered under rookie contracts, there are but a handful (less than 5?) under contract beyond 2025. Most veterans either have their contracts expiring at the end of the 2025 season or they have signed 1-year contracts in anticipation of significantly more money available under the new CBA in 2026.

Yes it was quite clear in this free agency period that many players who could have chosen multi year contracts, instead went for just a one year deal so they could be a free agent next year, which should be the craziest WNBA free agency yet.

 

[Huskee11]

There is no way in the world that Geno would ever do anything resembling what was done with Nykesha against Villanova in 1998.

Geno took a whole lot of heat for that, he hates distractions and it was a huge negative distraction. There were voices on both sides but plenty of vocal (media) opposition as I recall.

But perhaps more importantly, it put Nykesha in a very uncomfortable position. I recall her being interviewed about it a while after it occurred (although I cannot recall how much later). She was regretful, almost sorrowful, that it occurred and that it threw her into the middle of an unfortunate tempest in the large teapot that is UConn WCBB. That she was impacted negatively weighed on Geno as well. He will never put any of his players into an orchestrated situation like that again.

And as noted earlier, the situations are totally different. I have been watching Caroline during pregame warmups at home and she is in shape, moving great, and filling it up. Feels like a long shot but I hope she gets a chance to play but for real, not for show.

 

[JBK]

Azzi got her degree last year and I would assume she would participate in senior night. However, has she given any indication that she'll be back next year? She does have a red shirt year left.

This is a key to next year.