At this point, the WNBPA  and the WNBA should have been ironing out the final details of the ‘revolutionary’ CBA. Instead, a civil war in the player’s union came to light. Executives Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum sent a three-page letter addressing their concerns regarding the WNBPA leadership. It expressed “serious concerns about how the PA is handling the current negotiations” for a new CBA. That included the “lack of adequate player involvement.” Now, Stewart herself has addressed that leaked letter.

WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson has already brushed aside her frustrations regarding that letter. “I think you’re hearing that there is a discomfort with what’s been playing out,” Jackson said when asked about the letter in an interview with FOS. “I don’t know that there’s a discomfort with what we’re doing.” She further mentioned that she understands the frustration “as a result of the league putting pressure on the players.” According to Breanna Stewart, the letter shouldn’t have even seen the light of day. 

“That letter was supposed to be in private,” She said at the Team USA media availability (via Annie Costabile). “Plum and I had some concerns we wanted to address with Terri and get the entire EC back on track, just making a path forward to get the best deal possible. It was unfortunate that it became public knowledge.”

After the letter came out, the murmurs of discord amongst the players only grew. Some speculations, like the top players eroding the ‘middle class,’ quickly gained traction among fans. The narrative amongst the fans was shifting. Amid this change, the WNBPA released a statement reinforcing their unity and effectively echoing what Jackson said regarding the letter. 

“In every CBA negotiation, the goal of the league and teams is to divide the players,” read the statement. It was signed by the entire seven-player executive committee, including Plum and Stewart. “These negotiations are no different. We remain united and focused on delivering a transformational CBA for all members of this Union, and are committed to negotiating for as long as it takes.” Stewart further expressed that belief in their director.

“Terri is our ED,” Stewart further said. “We know she is leading us in the best way possible. While there may be differences of opinions or questions that are being asked, it’s all in good faith, knowing we want to do what’s right for all the players.”

The union is taking the concerns regarding the player’s role in the negotiations as they recently released the results of an internal survey.  The WNPA asked if the players would “accept 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?” 

The union said that 84% of players responded that they “would not accept 15% and want the union to keep negotiating.” However, it is unknown if everyone participated in this exercise. And then there are doubts about whether this poll was sincere in the first place. 

“Not only are we dealing with a net revenue that is likely higher, but the very way it is asked as a question—and I reached out to some folks who do polling to talk about this—it is the definition of ‘push polling,'” Howard Megdal of IX Sports said. “If you are trying to find out where your membership truly is, you do not ask your question in a push.” As the controversies unravel, Breanna Stewart’s latest update shows that the March 10 deadline will very likely pass without resolution. 

2026 WNBA Season Destined To Be Delayed After Breanna Stewart’s Reveal

It has been clear for a long time what the players’ priority is: revenue share. “We’re trying to meet somewhere. I mean, it’s not in the middle, we’re trying to meet somewhere, but they won’t even talk revenue share. But that is our whole fight—revenue share,” Sophie Cunningham recently said. 

The latest proposal from the WNBA would allow rookies who were first or second team all-WNBA to become eligible to sign a maximum contract in their fourth year. They would not be eligible for a franchise tag designation following that extension. The salary cap in the first year would be $5.75 million, increasing to $8.5 million by the sixth year of the deal. 

The deal would result in maximum salaries increasing by more than $1 million. The average salaries will increase to $540,000 in the first year. And yet, the revenue share remained the same as their last proposal, which the players were unsatisfied with. The Union wants 26% of the gross revenue, while the league is offering 50% of the net. 

“During USAB availability, Breanna Stewart said the EC met yesterday but did not provide specifics re: when the next counterproposal will be sent to the league,” Costabile reported. There are less than 4 days for the WNBA’s March 10 deadline. Even if the WNBPA sends their counterproposal on time, the current mood does not suggest it will be accepted immediately. As the time ticks, the 2026 WNBA season timeline becomes even more murky.