WNBA Facing Backlash On Thursday Amid CBA Negotiations originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Two days after Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally called the WNBA’s opening offer in collective bargaining talks a “slap in the face,” New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart gave another update that was not any better.
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On Thursday, three-time WNBA champion Stewart was quoted as saying she was “absolutely frustrated” with the league’s negotiating tactics.
“They kind of just ignored everything we said,” said Stewart, a vice president and member of the WNBA Players Association‘s executive committee.
In response, the league, and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert in particular, faced heavy criticism on social media from fans worried about the looming possibility of a lockout when the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ends after the 2025 season.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (right) are on opposite sides of CBA negotiations.Vincent Carchietta, John Jones-Imagn Images
“Now when @breannastewart says its some bull, standing on that with her, give @TheWNBPA their $ @CathyEngelbert,” said a user on X.
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“We’ve heard from Syd Colson, Satou Sabally, and now Breanna Stewart,” another responded. “None of it has been good, to say the least.”
Before Colson’s Indiana Fever played the Las Vegas Aces on June 22, she read a statement of player demands for the new CBA. This week, Fever star Caitlin Clark was heard on Colson’s Instagram live calling out Engelbert over prize money after Indiana won the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“Oh this is nasty Cathy,” one user said in reaction to Stewart’s comments.
“Shut it down!!!” said another fed-up reply, suggesting a lockout.
Stewart, 30, holds a unique position in the negotiations as the co-founder of Unrivaled alongside Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx. Although the fledgling 3-on-3 league does not overlap with the WNBA season, it provides a fall-back option for WNBA stars to play and get paid competitive salaries if there is a work stoppage.
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The two-time WNBA MVP said that she hopes the CBA negotiations will be more constructive during WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, when the players’ union will have a chance to meet face-to-face with the league.
Related: Caitlin Clark Issues Demand to WNBA Commissioner
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
