Breanna Stewart backs WNBPA director after letter leak: ‘Leading us in best way possible’

Breanna Stewart publicly backed Women’s National Basketball Players Association executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson Friday just days after the Liberty star and Kelsey Plum co-authored a letter that expressed concern regarding the handling of ongoing WNBA collective bargaining negotiations.

“Terri is our executive director,” Stewart said during USA Basketball media availability. “We know that she’s leading us in the best way possible. And while there might be some differences of opinions or questions that are being asked, it’s all good faith of knowing that we want to make sure that we do what’s right for all the players.”

Stewart and Plum sent what was supposed to be a private letter to the WNBPA leadership Monday in which they said they “do not feel like we have an adequate seat at the table in these negotiations.” The note was leaked to ESPN on Tuesday night and ultimately spotlighted a growing disconnect that’s formed within the players union 16 months into negotiations.

Stewart said the intention of the letter was to privately address some concerns with Jackson and help get the WNBPA executive committee “back on track” as the league’s theoretical Tuesday deadline draws near.

Mist wing Breanna Stewart (30) dribbles the basketball against Phantom during the first half of the Unrivaled championship game at Sephora Arena. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

“It was unfortunate that that became public knowledge,” Stewart said. “… We all spoke between [the executive committee] and Terri, and all of our union leaders to continue to make the best progress we can forward. What was helpful was we had a little bit of a tougher call Tuesday night between the EC and then Thursday, when we reconvened again, it just seemed a lot more productive.”

The WNBA shared its latest proposal with the players union Sunday night. The league offered a slightly higher salary cap for 2026 of $5.75 million as well as an accelerated path for star players on rookie contracts to earn maximum paydays.

Stewart said she didn’t know when the players union would officially respond to the league.

The biggest gap in CBA talks between the league and WNBPA continues to be the revenue share aspect.

The WNBA continues to stand firm on its offer of players receiving a 70 percent share of net revenue, or team and league revenue after expenses.

The WNBPA most recently demanded 26 percent of gross revenue, or revenue before expenses.

The WNBA established Tuesday as the deadline for the two sides to agree to terms on a new CBA or the season will most likely be delayed.

Breanna Stewart of the Mist dribbles the ball against Natasha Cloud #15 of the Phantom during the fourth quarter of the Unrivaled 2026 Championship game at Sephora Arena on March 4, 2026 in Medley, Florida. Getty Images

Players have widely expressed a desire to have a season.

“I will say I want to play, and I want us to figure it out. I want us to be able to negotiate,” said Kahleah Copper, who’s expected to represent Team USA this month at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico. “I would like for us to figure it out quickly so that we can have a season.”

A potential player strike remains on the table, though Plum and Stewart said earlier this week that a strike would be “the worst thing.”

Plum, who’s also at USA Basketball’s mini-camp in Miami, declined to comment on CBA matters.

“I’m here to focus on USA Basketball,” she said.