The 2025 WNBA season wrapped up months ago with the Las Vegas Aces claiming their third championship title. Right now, most women’s basketball fans are looking forward to the second season of the Unrivaled league. But there’s something else happening behind the scenes that has players worried.
It is the ongoing collective bargaining agreement talks between the WNBA and its players, and just one day before a critical deadline, New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart has shared some news about where things stand.
Breanna Stewart’s Latest Revelation Regarding CBA Talks
The entire CBA saga began in late 2024. It was when the WNBPA decided to opt out of their existing agreement immediately after the 2024 Finals ended, and this move triggered negotiations for a new deal that would take effect after the 2025 season. Players wanted higher salaries, a fairer share of league revenue, and improved benefits.
If we see things really heat up during the 2025 season. It was mainly at the July All-Star Game in Phoenix. That’s when players made their frustrations impossible to ignore. Players like Caitlin Clark spoke out publicly about the massive salary gaps in the league. Moreover, other players showed up wearing protest shirts with a clear message: “Pay Us What You Owe Us.”
Initially, everyone expected a deal to be done by October 31, 2025. That deadline came and went without agreement. So they pushed it to November 30. Still no deal. Then both sides agreed to a six-week extension. They eventually set a new deadline for January 9, 2026, which is tomorrow.
Now, on January 8, things appear no closer to resolution. In a recent practice session interview, Stewart, who is also the vice president of the WNBPA, shared a worrying update.
“We are not coming to an agreement by tomorrow, I can tell you that. We’re just going to continue to negotiate in good faith,” Stewart shared during the interview.
Stewart also addressed speculation about possible labor action.
She explained that calling for a strike is not something the players are planning to do immediately. However, she did not stop there, as she also stated that it remains an option if talks continue to stall. At the same time, reports indicate that the WNBA has no intention of locking out its players. This particular development suggests that both sides are still hoping to find common ground without resorting to extreme measures.
In December, optimistic news emerged as it was reported that player salaries for 2026 could average more than $500,000, with even the lowest-paid players earning over $225,000. Not only this, but the proposals also included raising the salary cap to $5 million for 2026, with future increases tied to the league’s revenue.
Now, coming back to Stewart. She had a solid 2025 season, averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. As we can see, she helped the Liberty achieve a 27-17 record and helped the team qualify for the playoffs. Unfortunately, their postseason run came to an end quickly. It was because the Phoenix Mercury knocked them out in the first round.
As Friday’s deadline approaches, it remains to be seen whether the WNBA and the WNBPA can reach an agreement (if any).
