WNBA Free Agency: Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, and others manuevering to hit open market as $2.2 billion media-rights deal kicks in

As the WNBA enters free agency, Breanna Stewart and other stars who are eligible to talk to teams are signing new deals or being given the core designation by their teams this offseason. However, most of the biggest names in the league are positioning themselves to cash in a new deal next year in the open market.

After the conversations around the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) last year, the new media rights deal, valued at $2.2 billion is set to begin next offseason. Players can start signing deals on February 1st, but according to Colin Salao from Front Office Sports, many are planning to sign one-year deals, making them free agents once again at this time next year.

Whether they are being given the core designation, like the New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart or the Las Vegas Aces' Kelsey Plum, or are legitimate free agents, like Nneka Ogwumike, the plan for these players is clear. They are looking to sign one-year deals in preparation for the 2026 WNBA free agency.

The Players Association for the league opted out of the league's CBA in October, and they have negotiated one that should fall in line with the new media rights deal next year.

Breanna Stewart, Ogwumike and Plum aren't the only ones following this plan. Stewart's teammate Sabrina Ionescu and WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson are set to feature in a star-studded 2026 free agency class. Players getting cored or signing one-year deals could potentially find new homes for the upcoming season as well, this includes players like Plum and the Dallas Wings' Satou Sabally.

"I’m working with (the Wings) and finding a next home for me,” Sabally told reporters recently. "I’ve already played my last game in Dallas.”

How does the new CBA deal affect players who are signed to long-term deals?

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty and Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever meet before the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 16, 2024 - Source: Getty

Even though many players around the league are shooting to secure one-year deals and position themselves to enter free agency in 2026, those signed to deals that take them past next season find themselves in an interesting position.

Star players like Caitlin Clark aren't guaranteed an increase in pay in 2026 under the new CBA. The WNBA Player's Association might revisit their negotiations in order to take care of players in similar situations.

Regardless of what happens, players across the WNBA stand to benefit from the 2026 cap spike, which should be one of many if the viewership numbers, boosted by Clark, Stewart and others, continue to rise.