Breanna Stewart explains the surprising, lucrative EuroLeague offer that allowed her to join Fenerbahce despite looming WNBA negotiations.
Breanna Stewart did not expect to be heading back overseas this spring. Yet by April, the New York Liberty star will suit up once again for Fenerbahce Opet in the EuroLeague’s Final Six, a move she says materialized unexpectedly and on terms too compelling to decline.
During an exclusive interview with The New York Post, speaking ahead of Unrivaled’s March debut at Barclays Center, Stewart explained that the opportunity surfaced suddenly through her agent. What followed was a rapid evaluation of logistics, particularly with the WNBA calendar looming and training camps scheduled to open April 19, the same day the EuroLeague Final Six concludes.
“Fenerbahce offered me something that I couldn’t refuse,” Stewart said, emphasizing that the Turkish club was willing to accommodate every condition she requested to make the short-term stint feasible.
The agreement allows her to play only in the Final Six rather than the full stretch of the season. “Any kind of stipulation or anything that I needed, they were willing to compromise with me literally to make it possible.”
The timing, however, has fueled broader speculation. With negotiations surrounding the next WNBA collective bargaining agreement still unresolved, some observers interpreted Stewart’s decision as a hedge against uncertainty about the upcoming domestic season.
She did not reference the CBA directly in recent interviews, instead framing the move as a unique professional opportunity that aligned with her current commitments.
Historically, overseas contracts have offered elite WNBA players salaries that far exceed their domestic earnings. Before co-founding Unrivaled, a league designed in part to keep top talent stateside during the offseason, Stewart herself routinely played abroad to supplement her income.
Against that backdrop, it is reasonable to view Fenerbahce’s proposal as financially significant, particularly for a player balancing career longevity with family planning.
On the court, Stewart’s arrival reinforces an already dominant roster. Fenerbahce has lost just once in EuroLeague play this season and has routinely secured lopsided victories, often by wide margins.
The team features established international standouts, including Gaby Williams, Emma Meesseman, Kayla McBride, Julie Allemand, and Iliana Rupert. Adding a two-time WNBA MVP to that core only strengthens its title credentials.
Stewart is also familiar with the environment. She helped lead Fenerbahce to a EuroLeague championship in 2023, earning Final Four MVP honors and First Team recognition that season. Her brief return now carries a narrower scope but similar expectations.