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Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu Commit to New York Liberty
WNBA stars plan to stay with Liberty despite record-breaking free agency period
Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:18am
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Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, two of the WNBA's biggest stars, have announced they will remain with the New York Liberty despite being unrestricted free agents. Both players helped lead the Liberty to their first championship in 2024 and plan to stay in New York, even as the league faces significant roster turnover with over 80% of players becoming free agents.
Why it matters
The Liberty's ability to retain their superstar duo of Stewart and Ionescu is a major coup for the franchise, as they look to build on their 2024 title and make another championship run. With the new CBA offering significantly higher salaries, keeping these two players is crucial for the Liberty's long-term success and competitiveness in the league.
The details
Stewart and Ionescu both publicly stated their intentions to stay with the Liberty, despite being unrestricted free agents. Stewart said on her podcast that she is 'not planning on taking any free agency meetings' and that her 'family is set up' in New York. Ionescu echoed those sentiments, saying 'I'm where I'm supposed to be' and that she is 'excited to get all this (CBA negotiations) behind us and to be able to start our season and get going in New York.'
- On April 2, 2026, Breanna Stewart announced her plans to stay with the Liberty.
- On April 2, 2026, Sabrina Ionescu also confirmed her commitment to remaining with the New York franchise.
The players
Breanna Stewart
A WNBA superstar and two-time league MVP who has played for the New York Liberty since 2020.
Sabrina Ionescu
A rising star in the WNBA who has been with the New York Liberty since being drafted by the team in 2020.
New York Liberty
A professional women's basketball team based in New York City that plays in the WNBA.
What they’re saying
“I will be staying in New York. I'm not planning on taking any free agency meetings, even though I am an unrestricted free agent. My family is set up here. We're solid here... I'm going to be back in New York, and that's all there is to it.”
— Breanna Stewart, WNBA Player
“I'm where I'm supposed to be. I never thought anything different. Excited to get all this (CBA negotiations), you know, behind us and to be able to start our season and get going in New York.”
— Sabrina Ionescu, WNBA Player
What’s next
The WNBA has not yet announced when free agency will officially begin, but the regular season is set to start on May 8, 2026.
The takeaway
The Liberty's ability to retain their superstar duo of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu is a major win for the franchise, as they look to build on their 2024 championship and remain competitive in the WNBA despite significant league-wide roster turnover during this free agency period.
