WNBA stars are prepared for a strike, prioritizing a deal that matches the league's surging growth and avoids a disappointing outcome.
Breanna Stewart says WNBA players are prepared to take drastic action if collective bargaining talks fail, but she stressed that the union’s goal remains simple: reach a deal that allows the league’s momentum to continue without interruption.
With negotiations between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association still unresolved, the possibility of missed games has become increasingly real as the calendar moves closer to the scheduled start of the 2026 season. The two sides met in person Monday, and while no agreement was reached, a source familiar with the talks said the meeting was productive in allowing players and owners to exchange questions and perspectives.
Stewart, a star forward for the New York Liberty, has been one of the most prominent voices in the negotiations. She serves as a vice president of the players’ union while also helping shape the broader women’s basketball landscape as a co-founder of Unrivaled.
On a recent episode of her “Game Recognize Game” podcast — co-hosted with NBA center Myles Turner and recorded before Monday’s meeting — Stewart addressed the seriousness of the moment and the leverage players are prepared to use if talks stall further.
Stewart said players are willing to strike if necessary, though she emphasized that a work stoppage is not what they want.
She said the priority is playing and ensuring the league continues to move forward.
A central issue in the negotiations remains revenue sharing. Stewart framed the debate as less about short-term wins and more about securing a structure that reflects the WNBA’s rapid growth and avoids becoming outdated almost immediately.
She said players are cautious about agreeing to a deal that may not age well as the league’s popularity, visibility and financial backing continue to expand.
At the same time, Stewart acknowledged the scale of the salary increases being discussed. Reported league proposals would significantly raise compensation, with maximum salaries climbing from roughly $250,000 to nearly $1.3 million in 2026 and average salaries increasing from about $120,000 to a projected $540,000.
Stewart said those figures are meaningful but must be understood within the broader financial reality of professional basketball.
She said WNBA contracts are “vastly different” from those in the NBA.
Stewart also pointed to the uneven ability of players to withstand a prolonged work stoppage.
“The top 10, maybe 15 players can survive without a WNBA contract,” she said. “But the rest, no — you don’t want to go that much without getting paid.”
Her comments underscored the pressure facing the majority of the league’s workforce as negotiations continue without a clear resolution.
Stewart also addressed criticism surrounding her dual role as a union leader and co-founder of Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league she launched with Napheesa Collier. Unrivaled reportedly paid an average salary of $220,000 in 2025, with further increases expected in 2026, leading some to question whether its existence creates a conflict of interest in CBA talks.
Stewart rejected that idea, saying her investment in Unrivaled does not diminish her commitment to the WNBA.
She said she wants both leagues to succeed.
As negotiations continue, Stewart repeatedly returned to one point: the importance of the 2026 season starting on time. With training camps typically opening in mid-April, the margin for delay is shrinking.
For Stewart and the players she represents, the message is clear. They are willing to push back, but they are equally determined to ensure that the league’s next chapter is built on terms that reflect how far the WNBA has come — and where it is headed next.