The WNBA and its players are still in talks about a new CBA, but there is no deal in sight. Fans are worried that a lockout could ruin the 2026 season. But WNBPA Vice President Breanna Stewart just gave us hope by revealing an important deadline that could finally end this standoff and get basketball back on track.
On the January 9 episode of Good Game with Sarah Spain, the New York Liberty star and Unrivaled co-founder discussed the issues.
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“We’ll continue to negotiate in good faith. It doesn’t mean that on Saturday we’re going to have a lockout, unless the league does something that we’re not prepared for. That’s not going to happen,” Stewart remarked.
“Hopefully, everything can be done by February 1. Even if we agree, we still have to wait for the contracts to be written. So there’s a lot to be thinking about. It’s not just like, oh, you’re done now, it’ll work. If we can get by February 1, we’ll all be in a good place,” she added.
Stewart’s February 1 deadline shows the struggle to reach a labor agreement that considers the league’s record growth.
Deloitte believes the WNBA will make more than $1 billion in 2025. With a new $2.2 billion media rights deal in place, players are asking for pay that reflects this growth. The WNBPA has reportedly asked for a raise in the salary cap from $1.5 million to about $10.5 million, as well as about 30% of gross revenue.
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Napheesa Collier, another WNBPA Vice President, stressed how serious the situation was.
“We’re on a time crunch. No one wants a lockout. But at the end of the day, we have to stand firm, and we’re not going to be moved on certain topics. So hopefully the league comes back quickly so that we can have more dialogue, more conversations, and can get the ball rolling.”
The stakes are higher than just pay.
The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo are two new teams that will join the league in 2026. Once a deal is reached, almost all of the players will become free agents. This means that the WNBA Draft, free agency, and expansion drafts will all happen very quickly, one after the other. This makes it crucial for the league to come to a conclusion quickly for the sake of its operations and competitive balance.
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Breanna Stewart’s deadline sets the stage for the WNBA’s biggest offseason ever
But the sense of urgency around February 1 goes beyond the negotiating table. Breanna Stewart’s timeline is critical because the WNBA is getting ready for its biggest offseason change ever.
The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo are ready to join the league, bringing in two new markets and opening up more chances for everyone.
(Stephen Slade ’89 (SFA) for UConn)
Once the ink hits the paper, things really start to get crazy.
Almost every player in the league will become a free agent, making a market that women’s basketball has never seen before. During dual expansion drafts, teams will work hard to protect their rosters while also making plans for free agency and getting ready for the new draft class.
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This short timeline doesn’t have any time delays. First, there needs to be expansion drafts so that Toronto and Portland can add players to their teams. Then, free agency starts.
Teams that have been around for a while start to rebuild, and new teams try to figure out who they are.
The WNBA Draft is next. It adds another level to building a team in just a few weeks instead of months.
However, everything depends on whether the negotiators can meet Stewart’s deadline of February 1. If they do, 2026 will be the biggest change in the history of the WNBA. If not, the whole season, with all the excitement it promises, will stay in limbo.
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