The likelihood of the 2026 WNBA season being delayed grows with each day that passes. Over a year ago, the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) and the league began negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), but an agreement remains elusive. As discussions drag into the second month of the year, Brianna Stewart, the union’s vice president, finds herself navigating a particularly challenging situation, balancing multiple roles.
In 2025, Stewart partnered with Nafeesa Collier to create a new 3×3 women’s basketball league, offering players a chance to earn income during the offseason while staying in the U.S. Now, as vice president of the WNBPA and co-owner of Unrivaled, Stewart faces criticism amid concerns about potential conflicts of interest. On Monday, she addressed these concerns directly.
In a recent podcast with NBA center Myles Turner, Stewart clarified her stance on the perceived tension between the WNBA and Unrivaled. “I know a lot of people kind of hate that I’m part of Unrivaled and negotiating with the WNBA,” Stewart said, “but I want to be successful at both. I see this from a business perspective and how things can benefit everyone. Unrivaled only brings positive exposure to players because it highlights them on social media, at games, and elsewhere—something that is often lacking during the WNBA summer season.”
The WNBPA broke away from the previous CBA to push for improved salaries and revenue sharing that reflect the league’s rapid growth. While the league’s latest offer would raise player earnings substantially, the union argues that it still undervalues the players’ contributions. This is where Unrivaled plays a role.
In 2025, Unrivaled paid players an average annual salary of about $220,000—a figure that reportedly increased in 2026—compared to the WNBA’s average yearly salary of around $120,000. Although the WNBA will offer a maximum salary of nearly $1.3 million and an average of $540,000 in 2026, players want more, fearing short-term contracts won’t keep pace with the league’s growth.
This gap has sparked criticisms about Stewart’s dual involvement, with some questioning a conflict of interest. However, Stewart and Collier view Unrivaled not as competition but as a successful proof of concept.
Nafeesa Collier highlighted this perspective on January 5, the opening day of Unrivaled’s second season. Although sidelined due to ankle surgery, Collier connected the league’s early achievements with the ongoing WNBA CBA talks, noting in an interview that the 3×3 league serves as a model the WNBA could learn from. “We’ve heard a lot about how what we want isn’t sustainable for business,” she said. “Being on this side of Unrivaled, I know what it takes to run a sustainable business. If you can’t find a model, then you need the right people, because we’re proving that it can be done—and we’re successful at it.”
From player pay to increased visibility and operational effectiveness, the offseason league demonstrates that a player-first approach can succeed without sacrificing sustainability.
The WNBA and WNBPA held their first meeting in months on Monday, with Stewart participating virtually. Although the session allowed for open conversations and direct questions, no agreement was reached. Should this deadlock persist, postponing next season appears unavoidable.
Fan Take: This ongoing impasse is critical for WNBA fans because it directly threatens the future of the upcoming season, delaying the chance to see their favorite players compete. Moreover, how this negotiation resolves could set a precedent for athlete empowerment and financial fairness in women’s sports, potentially reshaping the landscape of professional basketball.
