WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart stated Friday that the correspondence she and Kelsey Plum addressed to players’ union executive director Terri Jackson earlier in the week was intended to “get the entire [executive committee] back on track” to achieve the most favorable collective bargaining agreement possible as discussions with the league progress.
The three-page document underscored “profound concerns about how the PA is managing the ongoing negotiations” for a new CBA, “including the insufficient player involvement in the process.”
Addressing journalists Friday in Miami during a Team USA minicamp, Stewart asserted that the letter, which was obtained by ESPN, was not meant to diminish Jackson or create discord within the executive committee or players’ association.
“Terri is our chief executive director. We know she is guiding us in the best way possible,” said Stewart, the New York Liberty star. “While there might be some differences in perspectives or inquiries that are being posed, it’s all in good faith, knowing that we do what’s right for all of the players.”
Stewart indicated that she and Plum, the union’s first vice president, have conferred with Jackson personally since dispatching the letter, and have also communicated with the remaining members of the executive committee, comprising Nneka Ogwumike, Napheesa Collier, Elizabeth Williams, Alysha Clark and Brianna Turner.
The union convened a call with its players Tuesday night, which Stewart termed “tougher.” It tackled the issues brought forth by Stewart and Plum, according to insiders who spoke to ESPN, as well as the findings of a players association survey that inquired, in part, if they would “assent to the league’s proposal of 50% of net revenue, which is less than 15% of gross revenue in an eight-year deal or ask the union to keep negotiating?”
Per a social media statement from the union, 84% of the players who responded indicated they “would not accept 15% and want the union to keep negotiating,” though it remained ambiguous how many participants the survey had.
Stewart mentioned there was a further call between the executive committee Thursday night that she perceived was “a lot more productive.”
The union has yet to reply to the league’s most recent proposition, which it obtained March 2. The league’s fresh offer suggests expediting maximum contract eligibility for top-tier athletes on initial contracts, insiders familiar with the conversations told ESPN. The league’s revenue sharing suggestion remains unchanged from prior ones; nevertheless, the cap in Year 1 increased from $5.65 million to $5.75 million, up from $1.5 million in 2025. Based on conservative league projections, the salary cap will grow to approximately $8.5 million by Year 6 of the deal, sources told ESPN.
Stewart stated she is unaware when the union will submit its subsequent counter-offer.
Her remarks were made four days before the March 10 deadline provided by the league to the WNBPA last month to endeavor to finalize a framework document for a new CBA. The 2026 regular season is set to commence May 8, but prior to that, the league must conduct a college draft (planned for April 13), a two-team expansion draft and free agency for over 100 athletes.