Breanna Stewart has sent a warning to her WNBA peers as the WNBPA and the league continue negotiations, even discussing the possibility of a moratorium proposal that would apply to free agency and other league business, all of which was set to begin on Sunday.
After reports of such a proposal came out on Saturday, Stewart was quick to warn her WNBA peers. According to Kendra Andrews, Stewart said that the players have an understanding that any offers being sent without a new CBA are not to be signed.
“Breanna Stewart said that while qualifying offers may be going out, there’s an understanding from all of the players that no one should sign anything because any contracts signed would fall under the current CBA numbers, not the ones they are fighting for in the current negotiations,” Andrews reported.
While Breanna Stewart and her fellow Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier have continued to raise their voices for a fair deal, they have also been subjected to criticism.
Fans have trolled the pair on social media for simultaneously holding prominent roles in both the WNBPA and the Unrivaled League. They cite conflict of interest as a huge pain point when discussing Stewart and Collier’s roles in the CBA negotiations.
The WNBPA and WNBA released contrasting statements after the CBA deadline expired
After the 2020 WNBA-WNBPA CBA expired on Jan. 9, both sides released official statements to address the situation. The league released a message, highlighting the importance of building on its newfound momentum.
“As the league experiences a pivotal time of unprecedented popularity and growth, we recognize the importance of building upon that momentum,” the statement read. “Our priority is a deal that significantly increases player salaries, enhances the overall player experience, and supports the long-term growth of the league.”
Meanwhile, the WNBPA’s statement regarding their failure to reach a new deal sounded a different tune. The players’ association expressed its disappointment with the way the league has handled the negotiations, writing:
“Despite demonstrating our willingness to compromise in order to get a deal done, the WNBA and its teams have failed to meet us at the table with the same spirit and seriousness. Instead, they have remained committed to undervaluing player contributions, dismissing player concerns, and running out the clock.”
Stewart’s warning to her peers might not matter if both sides can agree on a moratorium proposal in the coming days. The possibility of a lockout is also more real than ever.
