WNBPA’s vice president, Breanna Stewart, shocked fans as she chose to play in the European league with Fenerbahce. Stewart’s Turkey move raises alarms for WNBA CBA negotiation. But this could be the last season where fans would see WNBA players choosing foreign leagues in the offseason for practice and commercial purposes.
Leagues like Unrivaled and Athletics United from the USA are already on the rise with their commercial and facility provisions. Their popularity is limiting the movements of the WNBA talent outside the country. But the WNBA could also play a huge role in this with their CBA offer.
WNBA CBA Offer Would Impact European Basketball
The WNBPA is aiming for higher pay and revenue sharing. The League’s proposal also showed its intentions by offering improved remuneration, which is four times more than its current offering.
This move will entice players to avoid long travels and poor facilities. Role players from every franchise, whose earnings were modest compared to star players, chose the European leagues to refine their game and earn extra money. But the WNBA’s new CBA Deal would put a stop to such moves.
Per source, the WNBA's latest proposal includes an uncapped revenue-sharing model that would:
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) December 18, 2025
-raise max salaries above $1.3 mil, growing to nearly $2.0 mil over the life of the deal
-raise average salaries above $530,000, growing to more than $770,000 over the life of the deal
Moreover, the league already set a date for reporting to training camps and strict actions over the failure to do so. With ongoing expansions and the number of games, the league schedule is also expanding, stretching the season and slowly reducing the offseason. This will also impact the European league contract.
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While this is a short-term impact on the foreign leagues, it will also pave the way for the league to achieve its long-term goal.
WNBA Trying To Cross Boundaries Along With NBA
The WNBA is already entering the world market, with players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese already becoming household names in other countries, too. Greek MLS Star Alexandros Katranis pointed out Clark’s surprising fame & global reach, which is already an enticing prospect for the league, which is looking to enter the market alongside the NBA.
“At some point, there’s a conversation to be had about coordinating FIBA’s current women’s league with the NBA’s European project,” NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum said.
NBA Deputy Commissioner said that one of the first questions from potential NBA Europe investors has been about WNBA Europe 🗣️
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) November 20, 2025
He revealed that female basketball league could be part of the expansion: https://t.co/m2jJIRCGr6 pic.twitter.com/Uh2KJooLrt
The plan is to have a fully functional league from 2027. Importantly, the investors are also in for the project. Tatum also revealed that one of the first questions from potential investors has been about WNBA Europe.