Whereas sustaining religion for an eventual settlement, WNBA celebrity and negotiator Breanna Stewart is not assured a direct CBA might be reached.
The WNBA Gamers Affiliation seems able to name an prolonged timeout.
In a break from Unequalled motion, New York Liberty ahead and WNBPA vice chairman Breanna Stewart admitted that there isn’t any imminent decision to the collective bargaining settlement negotiations, which have solid an aura of uncertainty over the 2026 season. The present CBA is ready to run out on Friday, the newest deadline in a collection of extensions within the lively labor discussions.
“We aren’t coming to an settlement [by Friday],” Stewart mentioned, per Annie Costabile of Entrance Workplace Sports activities. “I can let you know that.”
NEWS: Breanna Stewart says that she has been advised a brand new extension won’t be agreed upon by tomorrow’s CBA deadline, however the expectation is for the WNBA and Gamers’ Affiliation to proceed to barter in good religion.
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) January 8, 2026
The normally-bustling WNBA offseason has screeched to a halt with no new CBA, delaying preparations for the league’s thirtieth marketing campaign. A debate over receiving a share of gross or web income has been one of many high points, as has the dialog over a wage cap. The relative pause has presumably postponed a number of league landmark dates, together with the annual free company frenzy and enlargement drafts for the incoming Portland Fireplace and Toronto Tempo.
Earlier than Friday’s taking place, the final improvement on the CBA entrance was the gamers’ affiliation giving its govt board clearance to declare a strike. Kendra Andrews of ESPN reported that Stewart mentioned a strike was “not one thing that we will do proper this second” however appeared to understand “having that in our again pocket.” Upon expiration of the CBA, the league and gamers will enter a type of “establishment” that goes by the parameters of the prior settlement whereas persevering with to barter within the interim.
RELATED: BALLISLIFE EXCLUSIVE WITH BREANNA STEWART | CBA DEAL IMMINENT? | MORE CBA CONTENT HERE!
Stewart to Ballislife: “I am Very Assured”
Passing the deadline and not using a new CBA clearly is not a doomsday occasion, and Stewart herself was optimistic concerning the eventual new deal throughout an unique interview with Will Despart of Ballislife in Las Vegas earlier this week. It could seem, nonetheless, that the gamers are prepping for a minimum of some type of contingency.
Khristina Williams of NBC Sports activities reported that the WNBPA has established a collection of “Participant Hubs” at each the home and worldwide ranges. Such settings may function bases of operation if/when a lockout bars gamers from utilizing group services.
The WNBA CBA deadline is simply two days away! 👀
Breanna Stewart solely tells @Ballislife that “she’s very assured” a deal will get accomplished.
Do you suppose the WNBA and WNBPA will come to an settlement by Friday?
📹: @WillDespart pic.twitter.com/PIidg0ELzl
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 7, 2026
Williams’ report lists a number of faculty campuses (Cal-Berkeley, Manhattan, Stanford, UNLV) on the ledger in addition to The Bay Membership Community, New Heights Youth in Brooklyn, The Embassy facility in Spain (co-founded by former NBA vet Jose Calderon), and the WNBPA’s New York facility as potential bases of operation.
In the interim, Stewart’s Unequalled endeavors will proceed to function the primary course of home skilled girls’s basketball choices. Her membership, Mist BC, returns to motion on Saturday evening in opposition to Laces BC (8:45 p.m. ET, TruTV).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
