Breanna Stewart provides encouraging update on WNBA CBA negotiations

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WNBA star Breanna Stewart is seemingly pleased with where CBA negotiations currently are with the league.

During a recent episode of her podcast with NBA star Myles Turner, Stewart provided an update about the current state of negotiations with the league. Stewart revealed that the players are “in a new place.”

“I’m feeling better. I’m feeling like the owners are finally really acknowledging and being receptive of what we want and the players as well,” Stewart said.

“We all kind of had to put our business hats on and get into that mindset. I’m hoping we can get this thing done quickly so then we’re not late [to start the 2026 season]. That’s the thing. It’s like I’ve been telling them, is ― now that we’re a part of a revenue-shared model, you miss games, it’s less money. Not to say that we should submit and just say yes to any proposal that we don’t like, but this is a business now. This is how businesses go.”

In the league’s latest proposal, the WNBA conceded team-provided housing, a person with knowledge of the matter told USA TODAY Sports. In the revised agreement, one-bedroom apartments will be available for players making the minimum salary. The two developmental players on each roster would be provided with studio apartments. The players’ union also voiced setting a standard for team facilities that would be codified in the new CBA, the person with knowledge of the situation said.

Still, nothing has changed in terms of revenue sharing or player salaries. The WNBA is offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue. The players’ union has asked for 30% of gross revenue. The salary cap would be $5.65 million per year, rising with league revenues.

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“We’re now going to be a part of a revenue-sharing model, which is historic for the WNBA and really for the future to come, and now, it’s kind of understanding that,” Stewart said on her podcast.

“While it is tiring and taxing, you want to be a part of it to make sure that it’s for the better of the players, and also the league is going to continue and grow and thrive at such an important point. So you know what? We’re not done. Hopefully, eventually, I’ll be able to be like, ‘Oh, my God, Myles. It’s finished. It’s over.’ It’s going to be incredible, but until then, we just keep trucking along.”

Stewart’s NBA co-host seemed to sympathise with the work that WNBA players are doing in the ongoing negotiations. Turner admitted that many NBA players are in the dark on the work that’s been completed.

“I just think that you’re fighting the good fight, and I don’t think the guys on the NBA side truly see what’s really going on the WNBA side,” Turner said.

“We only hear headlines. We don’t realize that you’re on Zoom calls for four hours the day that you have games. We don’t realize that you’re spearheading these conversations as one of the faces of the league. If the shoe was on the other foot, I think it’d be a lot tougher. I think you’re handling it really well.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Breanna Stewart gives positive update on WNBA CBA negotiations

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