WNBA explores buyback of 16% stake valued at roughly $1 billion to regain ownership control. Amid the CBA standoff, the news hit hard as many expected to see money diverted to the players to satisfy the WNBPA’s demands. It looked like the end of the league, but Breanna Stewart had some positive news.
The former UConn star had been quiet on the topic for a long period, and as the conclusion part comes closer, she stepped up and spoke more openly about the CBA deals. Fans will be happy with her latest update.
Breanna Stewart Provides Positive Sign On Stalled CBA
Even though the CBA discussion has heated up in the past three months, the WNBPA and WNBA have been working on it for the last 15 months. At the end of the 2024 season, the WNBPA took a stand and still appears united. Though the recent extension proposal killed most of the hopes, the Liberty star spoke positively on the topic for the first time.
Talking to FOS, she said, “Unfortunately I wasn’t an economics major or anything like that, but we’re trying to get the best deal possible and we want to negotiate in good faith with the league. We’re hoping for some positive kind of change or reinforcement here. I feel like kind of. I’m just starting to see it (positive signs).”
Breanna Stewart spoke on the current climate of the WNBA CBA negotiations.
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) January 21, 2026
The leagues current CBA expired on Jan. 9 🫠 pic.twitter.com/XExs4We5WU
The WNBPA shared ‘non-negotiable’ points from their demands, and it seems that the league ironed out a few of those points, at least bringing a smile to Stewie’s face.
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Amid this positive news, though, the former champion issued a warning to the players, noting that there was a slim chance the CBA would be completed.
Breanna Stewart’s Caution For Players
Just as the WNBA missed the latest extension date, the three-time champion stepped forward and connected with peers, anticipating the next possible developments in the league. She cautioned them against signing any contracts at the moment.
Kendra Andrews reported, “Breanna Stewart said that while qualifying offers may be going out, there’s an understanding from all of the players that no one should sign anything because any contracts signed would fall under the current CBA numbers, not the ones they are fighting for in the current negotiations.”
Liberty star and WNBPA VP Breanna Stewart said the players' association and WNBA will not agree to another collective bargaining agreement extension after the deadline passes Friday.
— ESPN (@espn) January 8, 2026
The two parties instead will enter a period of "status quo," in which the league and union can…
While the WNBA also agreed with Stewie’s point and declared no free-agent signings until the new CBA. And now, as per Breanna Stewart’s update, it seems that this process would also get a green signal sooner.