Breanna Stewart to Return to Turkish Club Fenerbahce Opet Amid WNBA Uncertainty

Star player's move raises questions about the future of the WNBA as league's labor negotiations continue

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:59pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented and overlapping forms of basketball players in motion, capturing the dynamic energy and uncertainty of the sport's current landscape.Breanna Stewart's return to Turkey's Fenerbahce Opet club raises questions about the future of the WNBA as labor negotiations continue.Today in Miami

Breanna Stewart, a star player for the New York Liberty, is set to return to her Turkish club, Fenerbahce Opet, as the 2026 WNBA season remains uncertain due to ongoing collective bargaining negotiations between the league and the players' union. Stewart's decision to rejoin Fenerbahce for their playoff push has sparked curiosity and debate among fans and analysts.

Why it matters

Stewart's move to Fenerbahce raises questions about the future of the WNBA, as the league's labor negotiations continue to stall. The uncertainty surrounding the 2026 season and potential changes to prioritization rules have left players like Stewart weighing their options between playing overseas and participating in the WNBA.

The details

Fenerbahce announced on Tuesday that Stewart had re-signed with the club and would be joining them for their playoff push in April. This decision comes as the WNBA's collective bargaining negotiations remain unresolved, leaving the future of the league in flux. Stewart's presence in the Euroleague's Final Six tournament in Zaragoza, Spain, from April 15th to 19th, adds an extra layer of intrigue, as the WNBA training camps are scheduled to open on April 19th and the season is set to begin on May 8th.

  • Fenerbahce announced Stewart's re-signing on Tuesday.
  • The Euroleague's Final Six tournament is scheduled for April 15th to 19th.
  • WNBA training camps are scheduled to open on April 19th.
  • The 2026 WNBA season is set to begin on May 8th.

The players

Breanna Stewart

A star player for the New York Liberty who has re-signed with the Turkish club Fenerbahce Opet amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the 2026 WNBA season.

Fenerbahce Opet

The Turkish club that Breanna Stewart has re-signed with and will be joining for their playoff push in April.

New York Liberty

The WNBA team that Breanna Stewart currently plays for.

Women's National Basketball Players' Association

The players' union that is currently in negotiations with the WNBA over a new collective bargaining agreement.

Napheesa Collier

Breanna Stewart's colleague who, along with Stewart, laid the foundation for the 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled during the 2023-24 WNBA offseason.

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What they’re saying

“We're finally seeing the owners understand and be receptive to the players' demands.”

— Breanna Stewart, WNBA Player

What’s next

Until a new collective bargaining agreement is ratified, the WNBA is in a holding pattern, unable to proceed with crucial events like the two-team expansion draft, free agency, and the college draft, all of which must take place before training camp.

The takeaway

Breanna Stewart's decision to return to Fenerbahce Opet raises questions about the future of the WNBA and the ongoing labor negotiations between the league and the players' union. The uncertainty surrounding the 2026 season and potential changes to prioritization rules have left players like Stewart weighing their options between playing overseas and participating in the WNBA.