Podcast Summary:

Welcome to the Party – Inside the WNBA CBA Negotiations with Breanna Stewart
Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Treat Media
Guests: Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, Billie Jean King (regular), Special Guest: Breanna Stewart (“Stewie”)

Overview

This episode dives deep into the ongoing WNBA collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy welcome New York Liberty superstar and WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart ("Stewie") to unpack the players’ perspective, explore the sticking points—especially revenue share—and discuss wider implications for women's sports. Stewie also shares insights into her new 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, and her entrepreneurial pursuits, all with lively, candid party energy.

Key Themes and Discussion Points

1. Scene Setting: State of Women’s Sports and the “Party” Mood

• Rugby World Cup Update: Brief mention of US women’s exit and the sport’s attendance record-setting growth. (01:38–02:23)
• Underlining the rapid growth and momentum in women’s sports, setting the stage for the conversation about equity and opportunity in professional leagues.

2. Introducing Breanna Stewart: On and Off the Court

• Stewie’s Achievements:
  • 3 WNBA championships (Seattle Storm, New York Liberty)
  • 2× WNBA MVP
  • 7× All-Star
  • 3 Olympic gold medals, 4 NCAA titles at UConn
  • Co-founder of Unrivaled, new 3x3 women’s league
• Julie and Abby marvel at Stewie’s career:
  • “Never have these eyes seen a Wikipedia page as long and organized.” – Abby (06:51)
• Stewie joins in “needing a party”:
  • “I do need a party. I’m good. I’m a little bit tired, but we’re hanging in there.” – Stewie (08:35)

3. Deep Dive: WNBA CBA Negotiations

The Players’ Perspective

• Core Issue - Revenue Share:

  • Julie’s metaphor: The WNBA is "a house the players built and live in, but the league holds the keys." (09:20)
  • Stewie: “We just want our fair share… We want to be able to have keys to the house as well.” (10:24)
  • Players seek co-ownership, ability to benefit from the league’s growth, and more equitable arrangements.

• Negotiation Status & Deadline:

  • WNBPA and league in tense negotiations; deadline is Oct 31, 2025.
  • Stewie rates likelihood of deal at “like a six [out of ten].” (11:32)
    • “We’re not in a good place right now... probably an extension, but it’ll push everything back.” – Stewie (11:44)

• Revenue Share Detailed:

  • Currently, WNBA players get ~9% of revenues; NBA players get 51%. (13:21)
  • Stewie: “We’re not even… anywhere close to that.” (12:17)
  • “If the league makes more money, then the players should make more money, because they’re making more money.” – Julie, paraphrasing (13:25)

Major Sticking Points

• Raising Salary Caps & Revenue Proportionality

  • Stewie: “For whatever reason, we can’t move our 9% up right now.” (14:04)
  • Context: New expansion teams paid $250 million each; massive new $2.2B media rights deal.
  • Frustration at lack of progress despite league’s upward trajectory (14:30)
  • "Where is the lacking from both, like, the W[NBA] side?" – Stewie (15:04)

• Other Key Issues on the Table:

  • Family planning policies, player housing, pensions, legacy pay for former players (15:22)
  • “We haven’t been able to get into the nitty gritty on anything.” – Stewie (15:22)
  • Playoffs complicate negotiations, as players must focus on championship run (16:21)

• Risk of Lockout:

  • If the CBA isn’t resolved, brings risk of lockout or season delay, impacting player movement and salaries for all (16:51–17:50)
  • "Everybody's like, wow, this is like, this might actually create a lockout.” – Stewie (17:36)

4. Unrivaled: New Player-Led 3x3 Basketball League

• Why Create Unrivaled?

  • Keep players home, pay them what they're worth, offer new branding and business opportunities (18:50)
  • “We want to have an opportunity to pay the players what they deserve, keep the players home… build our brands.” – Stewie (18:50)
  • Ally is the founding sponsor; league valuation already up to $340 million in just two years (19:22)

• Innovations and Lessons Learned:

  • Greater player ownership/equity, player-led governance
  • Fans loved behind-the-scenes content, new brand partnerships (Samsung, Sephora), and spa experiences for players (21:24–21:43)
  • "People felt like they were the most engaged they probably have ever felt, knowing what was happening..." – Stewie (20:34)

• Impact on WNBA & Landscape:

  • Unrivaled offers leverage in CBA talks, showing alternatives exist
  • “Why not… create our own league. It’s so brilliant and then it crushed.” – Julie (29:05)
  • Keeps US fans engaged in the off-season—unlike when top players had to play abroad for bigger paychecks (30:19)

5. Stewie’s World: Entrepreneurial Side

• Merch Shop:
  • Stewie has her own shop, “Stewie’s World,” featuring unique branded items, which sell out instantly.
  • “The hat sold out in six minutes.” – Stewie (22:40)
  • "I owe you guys hats." – Stewie (22:42)

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We helped build this house. Why can't we have keys to the house?” – Stewie (10:24)
• “Like a six [out of ten]. We’re not in a good place right now.” – Stewie on deal progress (11:32)
• “Currently, it’s like 9%.” – Stewie on WNBA rev share (13:21)
• “We haven’t been able to even come to an agreement as far as revenue share, because then we haven’t talked about anything else that’s important.” – Stewie (15:22)
• “Unrivaled’s valuation just went up to 340 million, as a league in year two.” – Stewie (19:22)
• On keeping up with Sue Bird: “Ask her about her statue. I saw it live, and her muscles are like, popping out.” – Stewie (23:40)
• Mic drop moment: “Mic drop.” – Stewie (25:13)

7. Broader Takeaways

• The fight for equity in sports echoes broader societal struggles for women and workers everywhere.
• “This is not just specific to you all. This is happening to every woman in every city, in every state, in every single industry…” – Julie (24:09)
• Encouragement for listeners to demand their worth, wherever they work.

Important Timestamps (MM:SS)

• 09:20 – CBA metaphor: the house the players built
• 10:24 – Stewie breaks down what players seek
• 11:32 – How optimistic is Stewie on a deal?
• 13:21 – WNBA players’ current revenue share explained
• 15:22 – Progress on other issues stalled
• 17:36 – Growing concern about lockout
• 18:50 – Unrivaled’s founding principles & league update
• 19:22 – Unrivaled valuation hits $340 million
• 20:32 – Content and fan engagement lessons
• 22:40 – Stewie’s World merchandise popularity
• 23:40 – “Ask Sue about her statue” – lighter moment
• 24:09 – “This is about all of us…” – call to action

Tone & Style

• Upbeat, candid, and “party” themed—both supportive and celebratory, but unafraid to hit on frustration points in the negotiations.
• Mix of humor (“I owe you some swag!” – Stewie, 22:50), mentorship, and rallying call for community action.

Conclusion

A must-listen episode that demystifies the complex negotiations between the WNBA and its players, highlighting Stewie’s leadership beyond her basketball accolades. The discussion goes far beyond sports: it’s about ownership, equity, and the belief that women should have a seat at the table—and a set of keys to the house they built.

Best Quote for Social Share:
“We just want our fair share. We want to be able to have keys to the house as well.” – Breanna Stewart (10:24)