Breanna Stewart, alongside fellow WNBA star Kelsey Plum, addressed concerns regarding the ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between players and the league. Speaking from Medley, Florida, Stewart shared on Wednesday that she feels increasingly optimistic about the current state of talks and reassured that players remain united in their goals for the upcoming CBA.
With fewer than seven days left before the deadline to finalize a deal and secure a full 2026 WNBA season, the union later issued a statement rejecting the league’s most recent offer. The WNBA players’ association (WNBPA) emphasized that the proposal “is not worth taking,” underscoring the urgency on both sides to reach an agreement.
Recent Meetings Helped Strengthen Communication Among Leadership
Stewart participated in a phone call with other members of the players’ executive committee on Tuesday night, following a letter she and Plum sent to WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson. In that letter, they voiced
serious concerns about how (the union) is handling the current negotiations.
Copies of the letter, dated Monday, were obtained by several media outlets, including The Associated Press.
Reflecting on the discussions, Stewart said,
The call made me feel better,
and explained that the dialogue reinforced their shared sense of responsibility:
Sometimes hard conversations need to be had. I felt better after it and know that we finished that call understanding that we’re representing the larger body (of players) and we have work to be done and we’re going to do that work.
The union’s executive committee, which counts Stewart and Plum among its vice presidents, released a statement affirming unity and commitment to achieving a transformative agreement. They declared themselves
united and focused on delivering a transformational CBA … and are committed to negotiating for as long as it takes.
Timeline Pressure Mounts as Season Start Approaches
Time is pressing. The league has set a firm deadline of Tuesday for a finalized agreement to ensure the 2026 season begins as scheduled. Key milestones hinge on meeting this date: the new collective bargaining agreement needs to be drafted and signed by the month’s end, followed by expansion drafts for the upcoming Portland and Toronto franchises during the first week of April.
After that, free agency can commence, signings would start April 12, training camps are expected to open about a week later, and the season would begin on May 8. The league and the players’ union have been unable to reach an updated CBA since the union opted out of its previous contract, leaving negotiations stretched over more than a year.
Stewart and Plum Balance Leadership Roles with On-Court Success
Stewart and Plum occupy unique positions as vice presidents of the players’ association and prominent figures in women’s basketball. Both have been navigating the pressures of contract talks while competing in the Unrivaled playoff tournament with their respective teams. During a Wednesday shootaround ahead of the championship game—where Stewart’s Mist team will face Plum’s Phantom squad—Plum shared her approach to managing the dual challenges.
She said,
I’ve always approached anything in life, any adversity, by staying in the game,
and reflected on the difficulty of the situation:
I’m a human being. It’s hard. I definitely have moments, but at the end of the day, I know my heart. I know I’m super excited about tonight, and when you work all year for something, you want to finish it.
Stewart added perspective on the long haul of negotiations:
We’ve been in CBA negotiations for more than just the past two weeks. It’s been 17, 18 months. I don’t know exactly how long. And to be able to compartmentalize that hasn’t been easy.
Key Requests Highlighted in Letter to Leadership
In their correspondence with Jackson, Stewart and Plum emphasized that WNBA players stand at a pivotal moment in the league’s history. They called for greater transparency and clarity in several areas, including:
- A detailed accounting of the league’s expenses and revenue.
- An analysis comparing players’ potential financial losses from a delayed or strike-shortened season versus the benefits of a new CBA.
- Gathering player feedback on the league’s latest proposal.
- Clear information regarding the rookie salary scale.
- A definition of what Jackson believes the executive committee’s
role and responsibilities should be in this process.
Stewart Emphasizes Unity Despite Public Release of Letter
Stewart noted that the letter was originally intended for internal discussion with Terri Jackson and the executive committee rather than public release. She maintained that the players remain aligned in their mission despite outside scrutiny.
This is a letter that was meant for Terri, and for the EC, for us to really have a conversation and stay strong in all the things that we’re negotiating, and I believe that we are,
Stewart explained, adding,
We are still unified and understanding what we’re fighting for and that’s the messaging that we had on our call last night. … Our main goal is to make sure that we have the best possible deal for all players.
