Breanna Stewart Returns to Fenerbahçe as WNBA CBA Negotiations Continue

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart will rejoin Turkish club Fenerbahçe in April, as uncertainty surrounds the start of the 2026 WNBA season due to ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

Stewart’s Return to Fenerbahçe

Fenerbahçe announced on Monday that Stewart will play with the team during the EuroLeague Women Final Six, which runs from April 15-19 in Zaragoza, Spain. ESPN and Front Office Sports both reported on the agreement.

Stewart previously played for Fenerbahçe during the 2022-23 season, leading the franchise to a EuroLeague Women’s championship and earning Final Four MVP honors. She was also named to the All-EuroLeague First Team that year. Breanna Stewart’s Wikipedia page details her accomplishments with the team.

WNBA CBA Negotiations and Prioritization Rules

Stewart’s move comes as the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. A key sticking point remains revenue sharing. ESPN reports that Stewart, a WNBPA vice president, expressed optimism about the progress of negotiations, stating, “I’m feeling like the owners are finally really acknowledging and being receptive of what we aim for and the players as well.”

The WNBA regular season is currently scheduled to begin on May 8, contingent on reaching a CBA. Training camps are set to open a few weeks prior. Players have until May 1 to report to training camp without penalty under the current prioritization rule, but changes to this rule are being considered as part of the negotiations. ESPN details these timelines.

Until a CBA is ratified, events like the two-team expansion draft, free agency and the college draft cannot proceed.

Stewart’s Offseason Activities and Future Plans

Stewart is currently playing for The Mist in Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league she co-founded with Napheesa Collier. The Unrivaled regular season concludes at the end of February, with playoffs scheduled for February 28 to March 4. Front Office Sports provides details on her involvement with Unrivaled.

Stewart has publicly stated her intention to re-sign with the New York Liberty for the 2026 WNBA season, despite being an unrestricted free agent. Last season, she averaged 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 31 games for the Liberty.

Key Takeaways

• Breanna Stewart will play for Fenerbahçe in April during the EuroLeague Women Final Six.
• WNBA CBA negotiations are ongoing, with revenue sharing as a key issue.
• The start of the 2026 WNBA season is contingent on reaching a new CBA.
• Stewart is optimistic about the progress of negotiations.
• Stewart is currently playing in Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league she co-founded.