The WNBA told players that the sides would need to agree to a labor deal by March 10 or the season would be delayed, a league source confirmed to Front Office Sports.
The league needs to conduct free agency, an expansion draft, and a college draft before training camps are set to open in mid-April.
The sides have blown several deadlines as they have negotiated over a new collective bargaining agreement for more than a year and are rapidly closing in on the May 8 scheduled start date for the season.
This could be the first work stoppage in WNBA history if a deal is not reached by the deadline.
