WNBA Stars Stewart and Ionescu Commit to Liberty

Duo plans to remain with New York team despite record-breaking free agency period

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:24pm

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Superstar WNBA players Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu have announced they will remain with the New York Liberty, bucking the trend of high-profile free agent moves during this offseason's record-breaking free agency period.

Why it matters

Stewart and Ionescu are two of the biggest names in women's basketball, and their decisions to stay with the Liberty send a strong signal about the team's future and the players' commitment to the city of New York.

The details

In a podcast interview, Stewart stated that she is 'committed to New York' and will not explore free agency, citing the stability of her family as a key factor. Ionescu, the Liberty's young star point guard, is also expected to re-sign with the team in the coming weeks.

  • On April 1, 2026, Breanna Stewart announced her commitment to the New York Liberty on her podcast.

The players

Breanna Stewart

A WNBA superstar and two-time league MVP who has played for the New York Liberty since 2020.

Sabrina Ionescu

The Liberty's young star point guard who was the first overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft.

New York Liberty

A professional women's basketball team based in New York City that competes in the WNBA.

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What they’re saying

“I'm committed to New York. My family is stable here, and I'm not going to explore free agency.”

— Breanna Stewart, WNBA Player

The takeaway

Stewart and Ionescu's decisions to stay with the Liberty demonstrate the team's ability to retain top talent and build a championship contender in New York City, despite the high-profile player movement seen across the WNBA this offseason.