Breanna Stewart said she is “just starting to see a possible resolution” to the WNBA labor dispute that has engulfed the sport for 15 months. The New York Liberty star and co-founder of Unrivaled, who is a vice president in the players’ union, told Front Office Sports that the negotiations have been mentally exhausting as both sides pursue a new collective bargaining agreement.
WNBA players opted out of their collective bargaining agreement with the league on October 21, 2024, laying the groundwork for a labor battle focused on revenue sharing. Stewart told reporters earlier this month that while players have the option to hit “in our back pocket,” a strike was not imminent.
“Unfortunately, I don’t study economics or anything like that, but we’re trying to get the best deal we can and we want to negotiate in good faith with the league,” Stewart told Front Office Sports. “We hope for a positive change or reinforcement here.”
In December, the WNBA proposed a framework that would offer players 70 percent of the league’s net revenue, with a salary cap of about $5 million. The union responded later that month with a new CBA proposal calling for 30 percent of gross revenues and a salary cap of about $10.5 million.
The WNBA has not made a counterproposal to that proposal. ESPN reported that the league believes the union’s proposal will result in a $700 million loss over the course of the deal.
The sides agreed to two extensions of the October 31, 2025 deadline before a January deadline passed without a deal. The parties are now operating in a ‘status quo’ period, meaning that much of the old CBA remains in effect, but either party can initiate a work stoppage.
Asked if she could see a light at the end of the tunnel of the negotiations, Stewart replied, “I’m kind of looking forward to it.” I’m just starting to see it now.’
Stewart told Front Office Sports that she informed her wife that “my brain hurts” because of the volume and complexity of the conversations. The lack of full transparency surrounding team and league financials has been a point of contention in labor negotiations.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in Berlin last week that the league hopes to launch a women’s league in Europe after the launch of the men’s version it is currently planning. Stewart said she first heard about Silver’s comments when she spoke with Front Office Sports.
“I think while that’s exciting, we’re still a long way from that,” Stewart said. “We have to figure out a lot of things first, like the WNBA, and how we’re really going to figure out this formula where players are valued, while also making sure the league is set up for success.”
Silver, who oversees WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, has adopted an optimistic tone on the labor talks. He said in December before the NBA Cup final that he would go to the negotiating table if necessary.
“We are available to do whatever it takes to get a deal done,” Silver said. “I remain optimistic that we will get something done.”
Stewart is also launching a new podcast alongside Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner. The show, called “Game Recognize Game with Stewie and Myles,” will be the first podcast to feature an active NBA and WNBA player.
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