INGLEWOOD, Calif. — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has called on the WNBA and its players’ association to increase their urgency to get a labor deal done in time for the new season to begin on schedule in early May.Silver didn’t propose a firm deadline for a WNBA collective bargaining agreement Saturday in his annual address during NBA All-Star weekend, but he urged both sides to pick up the pace to avoid a work stoppage.“What I’d love to accomplish is sort of putting pressure on everybody,” Silver said. “I’ve been through so many cycles of collective bargaining, and often things tend to get done at the 11th hour. We are awfully close to the 11th now when it comes to bargaining.”The WNBA delivered its latest proposal to the players’ union a week ago and offered small increases in revenue sharing along with concessions on housing issues, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press last week. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.The league and the players are still not close on the main issue of revenue sharing. The players want roughly 30% of the gross revenue, while the league has offered over 70% of net revenue — after expenses that include upgraded facilities, charter flights, five-star hotels, medical services, security and arenas.Silver has already said WNBA players will be getting a “big increase” in pay from the next CBA.“I’m encouraged there has been more back and forth over the past few weeks,” Silver said. “I think there’s been more direct engagement from players and team owners. I have not been at the table, but I’m very involved behind the scenes. I want to play whatever role would be most productive in getting a deal done. But again, I think we need to now move toward the nex …
