Breanna Stewart is headed back to the EuroLeague. After the Unrivaled season wraps up, she will join Fenerbahce for the final stretch of the EuroLeague season in April. The news immediately prompted fans to go into panic mode because Stewart’s decision to go to Europe doesn’t inspire much confidence in a timely start to the WNBA season. Training camp is supposed to start on April 19–the same day the Final Six wraps up.
On a Game Recognized Game and Fudd Around and Find Out crossover podcast episode, Stewart gave a very different explanation for the decision.
“They literally offered me something that I couldn’t refuse,” Stewart explained when UConn star Azzi Fudd asked about her decision to return to her former EuroLeague team.
She didn’t go into more detail and didn’t mention the possibility of a delayed WNBA season. The timing is definitely interesting, but it could also just be about taking care of her family and planning for her children’s future.
Before Unrivaled, Europe was the place to go for stars like Stewart to make a lot of money—more than their WNBA salaries paid them. So, it is not far-fetched to assume that Fenerbahce offered Stewart a massive paycheck she wouldn’t even have said no to if a new CBA were already agreed upon. Of course, that paycheck would be even more important if Stewart doesn’t expect the next WNBA season to happen at all.
Stewart boosts an already strong roster
Fenerbahce features a star-studded roster. Gaby Williams, Emma Meesseman, Kayla McBride, Julie Allemand, and Iliana Rupert all play heavy minutes for the team. Adding Stewart to such a talented roster could swing the outcome of the season.
Fenerbahce lost only one EuroLeague game so far. In mid-January, the team fell to Basket Landes in large part due to a scoring masterclass from Connecticut Sun rookie Leila Lacan. She scored 28 points on 10-15 shooting in just below 25 minutes on the court. Fenerbahce won every other game and most of them weren’t even close. Eight of the team’s wins were decided by at least 18 points, including three that Fenerbahce won by at least 48 points.
Adding Stewart to such a strong team only adds insurance that Fenerbahce can finish the season successfully.
Stewart already helped Fenerbahce to a championship before. The team won it all in 2023. Stewart was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team that season and took home the EuroLeague Final Four MVP award.