WNBA icon Breanna Stewart recently shared insights into her decision to re-sign with the New York Liberty, a choice that involved forgoing a potentially record-breaking contract. Stewart, a decorated athlete with three Olympic gold medals, expressed her commitment to the New York franchise, highlighting the unique opportunities the city offers.
A Unique New York Experience
Stewart recently participated in a unique experience, joining celebrities like actor Ewan McGregor aboard a 50-foot foiling catamaran for a tour of New York Harbor as part of the international racing league, SailGP. She described the experience as thrilling and indicative of the possibilities available in New York.
“I think that the opportunities in New York are kind of limitless,” Stewart stated. “Having a big tour stop here is really cool.” During the event, Stewart engaged in hands-on activities, including testing the grinds that control the sails and getting a firsthand look at the high-tech sailing equipment.
Strategic Career Decisions
Stewart’s decision to remain with the Liberty comes after she played a significant role in negotiating the WNBA’s new collective-bargaining agreement, which substantially increased player salaries. While this agreement opened doors for higher earnings, Stewart opted for a three-year, $3.7 million contract with the Liberty, a move designed to maintain the team’s core championship roster, including Sabrina Ionescu and Jonjon Jones.
“Absolutely, I mean, listen, I went through free agency,” Stewart initially remarked, before clarifying her situation. “Well, I didn’t really go through free agency.” She elaborated on the importance of balancing personal financial goals with the team’s ability to attract and retain top talent.
“I think, wanting to obviously make as much as I can, while also making sure that [the Liberty] have the [cap] space to have a lot of great players is something that’s really important, and definitely wanted to make sure of that,” she added.
Leveraging Player Value
Stewart’s career trajectory, marked by numerous championships in college, overseas leagues, and the WNBA, has positioned her as a key figure in advocating for player value. Her involvement in launching the 3-on-3 league, Unrivaled, and her participation in international competitions have contributed to her leverage in labor discussions.
She emphasized the shift in how WNBA players are perceived and compensated. “Now that the WNBA really sees the worth and the value of the players, it’ll be a decision,” Stewart explained. “It’s not something you’re forced to do, but you can decide if you want to play in the off season, or you want to go to Unrivaled, go overseas and things like that.”
Impact on Other Leagues
The advancements in the WNBA’s labor deal, partly influenced by figures like Stewart, are being observed across the sports landscape. The league’s new minimum salary of $270,000 stands in stark contrast to the much lower figures in other professional sports, such as mixed martial arts, where some fighters can earn as little as $12,000 per fight.
Securing the Future of the WNBA
Stewart also highlighted the significance of the WNBA’s new 11-year media rights deal, valued at a minimum of $281 million annually. This agreement ensures broader exposure through national broadcasts on networks like NBC, USA, and Peacock, as well as streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
“I think the next check box is for us making sure that we’re really crushing it with the media deal, having been on multiple nationally televised platforms, but also having that viewership and attendance go up, because the TV deal can potentially get even better throughout the term of the CBA, which can also make the money even better,” she stated. Despite the pressure of competing in a crowded summer sports calendar, Stewart remains focused on elevating the Liberty and the WNBA.
