The WNBA season is within eyesight following the CBA confirmation from the league and WNBPA. With that, the ‘on hold’ free agency signings will now start. With a number of top players in the mix, the 2026 free agency is the most talented and expensive one in league history. But Breanna Stewart set the record straight in her recent podcast episode.
During the exit interview, Stewart maintained her stand to stay with New York Liberty despite an early exit in the 2025 postseason. And now she doubled down on her original view.
Breanna Stewart To Remain At New York Liberty
The new CBA deal, expansion draft, and free agency pool make the decision for players tougher than expected. It’s a clear battle between loyalty, supermax salary contract, and also the championship contention. For the former UConn star, she feels that the New York Liberty franchise will satisfy all three ‘requirements’.
In her recent podcast episode, the player discussed her decision to enter free agency. “I’m just gonna set the record straight here, I will be staying in New York. I’m not planning on taking any free agency meetings, even though I am an unrestricted free agent,” Stewart said.
Breanna Stewart plans to return to the Liberty and not test free agency, she announced on her podcast, Game Recognize Game 🗽 pic.twitter.com/RUi2e3a5ca
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 1, 2026
Getting the three-time champions back will be a huge win for the Liberty franchise, which can now pursue other top free agents to join their project. GM Jonathan Kolb mentioned that the franchise is looking to hold onto its championship core and add to it rather than build a completely new roster.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
Signing the player who scored the last 13 points for the franchise in the 2025 season and also helped them win the 2024 championship is a great start for sure. Apart from the free-agent signing, the former Storm player recently spoke about the CBA deal.
Breanna Stewart Gives Her Opinion On CBA Deal
Right from the start of the CBA Discussion, the veteran forward was very much involved and active. She even provided some positive u[dates on the CBA discussions as they happened. And now, when the CBA is on the table, the player gave her honest opinion on the final product.
The WNBA final MVP was at the UConn game and spoke on the CBA as she said, “We walked out of the room proud, holding our heads high and knowing that the EC [Executive Committee], our staff, and the league really came to an agreement and a CBA that is going to be historical.”
Stewie pulled up to watch her Huskies take on the tourney 🐺🔥@sportsiren catches up with her on WNBA CBA negotiations, the next wave of UConn stars and a surprise Marta Xargay appearance 🥳 pic.twitter.com/Rduly6zwtQ
— espnW (@espnW) March 21, 2026
“It’s going to create generational wealth, hopefully, but really the opportunity for wealth for all players in the league and for those that had came before us. It’s really hard because when you wanna have a transformational CBA like we did. There are a lot of things that need to be fixed, that need to be better,” Stewart added.
With a new economic structure built around revenue sharing and rising salary scales, the deal can deliver more than $1 billion in player salaries and benefits, which is a massive improvement for the WNBA stars.