In the months leading up to a breakthrough in WNBA offices regarding a new collective bargaining agreement with the players, tensions ran high and there was widespread concern that no resolution would be reached, potentially jeopardizing the 2026 season.
Fortunately, everything unfolded successfully. Both sides managed to find common ground where the outcome proved beneficial for all involved, and teams are now moving quickly to reshape their rosters ahead of the preseason, which is set to begin in April.
With this result, Breanna Stewart attended a UConn Huskies NCAA Tournament game. While watching the action courtside, she internally celebrated what had been achieved through negotiations with the league.
In an interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, the player shared her impressions of everything that had been accomplished for the athletes and how this new collective agreement represents a pivotal moment in the history of women’s sports.
Breanna Stewart discusses the historic agreement between players and the WNBA
After numerous back-and-forth exchanges, rejected proposals, emotional strain, and a firm stance to ensure their demands were taken seriously, the long-awaited collective bargaining agreement for WNBA players finally came to fruition.
Breanna Stewart played a crucial role in the negotiations and never backed down, determined to secure what she believed the players deserved based on their contributions and the league’s growth.
We walked out of the room proud, holding our heads high and knowing that the EC [Executive Committee], our staff, and the league really came to an agreement and a CBA that is going to be historical,” she said when asked about changing the course of history for female athletes. “It’s going to create generational wealth, hopefully, but really the opportunity for wealth for all players in the league and for those that had came before us.
It’s really hard because when you wanna have a transformational CBA like we did. There’s a lot of things that needed to be fixed, that needed to be better,” she added. “But I thought that our team did an incredible job negotiating and really never giving up until we got exactly what we wanted.
The new agreement is set for the next seven years, from 2026 through 2032, and the gains significantly benefit the players, who will now receive 20 percent of league revenue.
We’re getting 20 percent of all revenue… we’re a partnership, we’re a collaboration,” she said. “When it’s good for the WNBA, it’s good for the players and vice versa.
This outcome makes clear that the league values its players, who ultimately drive the business forward. Without them, none of this would be possible. The new structure is now projected to generate $1 billion in salaries and benefits over the life of the agreement.
This represents a massive step forward for women’s sports, extending far beyond the WNBA itself.
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