Breanna Stewart voices critical WNBA strike concerns as players demand a “transformational” deal, pushing for player-first negotiations before the March deadline.
New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart acknowledged the growing urgency surrounding the WNBA’s ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations, warning that a strike remains a possibility if players do not secure what they believe is a fair deal.
Stewart’s comments come just days after a private letter she co-authored with Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum surfaced publicly. The letter, addressed to WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson, raised concerns about the pace of negotiations and communication between union leadership and players as the March 10 deadline for a new agreement approaches.
Speaking with the Associated Press, the WNBA star power forward clarified that the letter was never intended for public release and was meant to prompt internal discussion within the union’s leadership.
“This is a letter that was meant for Terri and for the executive committee, for us to really have a conversation and stay strong in all the things that we’re negotiating,” Stewart said. “I believe that we are. We are still unified and understanding what we’re fighting for.”
Stewart, who serves as a vice president of the WNBPA, has been closely involved in negotiations with the league. After a recent call with members of the union’s executive committee, she said she now feels more confident about the direction of the discussions.
“Sometimes hard conversations need to be had,” she said. “I felt better after it and know that we finished that call understanding that we’re representing the larger body of players and we have work to be done.”
The WNBPA later issued a statement reinforcing that message, emphasizing that players remain united in their pursuit of what they described as a “transformational” collective bargaining agreement.
The urgency is tied to the league’s timeline. The WNBA has indicated that a deal must be reached by March 10 to ensure the 2026 season begins on schedule. Without an agreement, the league could face its first work stoppage.
Stewart acknowledged the high stakes involved in the negotiations, noting that talks have stretched well beyond the past few weeks.
“We’ve been in CBA negotiations for more than just the past two weeks,” the three-time WNBA champion said. “It’s been months, and it hasn’t been easy to balance that with everything else.”
Despite the pressure, Stewart emphasized that the players’ primary focus remains on securing a deal that benefits the entire league.
“Our main goal,” she said, “is to make sure that we have the best possible deal for all players.”