Last week this exclusive interview was sent out to paid subscribers. Now it is available for everyone to read or listen to. I’ve updated the article to include the interview in written form for those that prefer that over the audio. The transcribed interview will be at the bottom of this article. But if you prefer to listen, you can play the audio above.
On Thursday, the Seattle Storm held a press conference to celebrate that the team was able to re-sign Breanna Stewart to a new one-year deal for the 2022 WNBA season. Stewart signed for the Supermax contract of $228,094. You can watch the entire press conference below if you’re interested!
A lot was covered during that press conference but thankfully I was granted a one-on-one interview with Stewie afterward to cover a few more topics. I wanted to try something different this time.
Substack recently added the functionality to include podcasts or audio files to their site. Combine that with the fact I have had people request I do a podcast or produce more digital/audio content. I felt this would be a good opportunity to test that out.
Some of the topics I was able to discuss with Breanna Stewart - where she’s at with her recovery after surgery (I’m surprised this wasn’t brought up in the main press conference), her contract status with UMMC Ekaterinburg, thoughts on the prioritization clause, her projected future laid out by both the Seattle Storm and New York Liberty, her thoughts on losing Katie Lou and adding Gabby Williams, Jordin Canada’s impact over these last few years, and how motherhood has changed her.
Baby Ruby even makes a guest appearance!
The interview is a little under nine minutes. Enjoy!
Interview transcribed below
Q: You had surgery in the offseason, where are you with that? Are you at full contact yet or what’s the timeline?
Stewart: Not at full contact yet. Rehab is going really well. I’m on the court just continuing to build back progression by progression with time restrictions. Hoping to be back more full contact around the end of February or beginning of March. The ramp-up is a process where you gotta do this and this and this.
Q: You had a contract with UMMC Ekat overseas but you weren’t able to play due to your surgery. Does that contract just roll over or how does that work?
Stewart: I signed a two-year deal. So next year is definitely happening. Honestly, I’m not sure about the rollover. That’s more up my agent’s alley and we’ll figure it out from there.
Q: We touched on this earlier about why you signed just the one-year deal with Seattle and a lot of that has to do with the prioritization clause (from the CBA). How do you look at it - how will it impact a lot of the players in the WNBA?
Stewart: People are just trying to figure out this prioritization clause. Having choices being made for people I don’t think that’s exactly what we want as players, having to decide one way or the other. Just trying to make sure I’m keeping all options open as far as what’s going to happen over the next couple of years.
Q: Do you think that the WNBA is really trying to keep their players home and not having to go overseas?
Stewart: Yes, I get it. The WNBA wants to hopefully continue to invest in its players and keep them in the market and help them build even more behind that. Sometimes it’s really hard to compete with overseas money.
Q: Could you envision a scenario, not next year, but 5-8 years down the road where the WNBA is expanding to 50 games or so for the season but also increasing player pay?
Stewart: Yeah, I think the goal for the WNBA is that they want to make the season longer but have the majority of the chunk of the season still in the summer. But it just gets really complicated with overseas and international events, things like that. Luckily, that’s not my job to figure out how to make it all work. I’m just going to be the one that shows up and plays.
Q: During the free agency process, did Seattle give you a vision or outline because this could be Sue’s final year. Did Seattle sell you on a vision beyond this next season?
Stewart: No, I don’t think that Seattle had to sell me on too much. Just the excitement and wanting me to be back. The core group to be back. I think that especially for the three of us we know there is unfinished business on the table.
Q: Along those lines, did the Liberty say to you - ‘hey go ahead and sign with Seattle this year but this is how we could envision you (with the Liberty) in future years.’?
Stewart: Yes and no. I think New York was happy to have the opportunity and it was nice to see it from a different perspective. Ultimately, it’s my choice and that’s respected by both sides.
Q: Seattle made pretty big news trading away both Katie Lou and their 1st round pick for Gabby Williams. I wanted to get both your thoughts on Lou being traded away, being a former teammate of yours at UConn but then Gabby is as well. Did you have any input before that trade was made? Your thoughts on Lou leaving and adding Gabby.
Stewart: As the trade was transpiring, that’s always the hard part of professional sports. You’re losing some players and things like that. I think that Lou going to LA is going to be a great opportunity for her to play at home. To continue to elevate her career there. And just knowing our relationship is more than whether we’re on the same team or not. On the other end, just being excited about having Gabby come. Hopefully, continuing to bring her experience she’s building playing in France and overseas and carry that over. Give us a little bit of a different dynamic than we had before. Now bringing in two major defensive players in Gabby and Briann January.
Q: One of the downsides of the salary cap changing and free agency in general, sometimes there’s not enough money for everyone. You guys lose Jordin Canada in free agency. I just wanted to get your thoughts on Canada as a teammate over the past four years. She helped you win two titles.
Stewart: Like I was saying, anytime a player is traded or signs with someone else. It’s sad but also at the same time happy. It’s a bittersweet feeling for Jordin. I loved sharing the court with her, being her teammate, and watching her continue to develop and grow in this league. I’ll still be watching her just from a farther distance.
Q: What were some of the best things Jordin did on the court for you guys?
Stewart: She came in and she was constantly a spark plug. She was someone who continued to develop. Learning behind Sue is something I’m sure she’ll take for the rest of her career. Just her pace really changed the game when she was on the court and she makes really exciting plays.
Q: I spoke with you about this at the end of the season but how much communication did you have with Jewell (during free agency) in regards to your future playing together?
Stewart: A lot of communication. I think Jewell and I were in touch a lot. Figuring out what’s going to happen going forward. Obviously, both of us coming back to Seattle and knowing that we wanted to come back. To go after another championship. We’ve shared the court for seven years together now and just want to continue to do that as much as we can.
Q: Last one from me, how has motherhood changed you? Changed your life, outlook, etc.
Stewart: Oh motherhood has changed my bedtime that’s for sure! I go to sleep way earlier. Ruby is literally the best thing that’s happened for myself, for Marta, just watching her continue to grow. Having her be here and be able to share as many experiences as possible. I can’t wait for the season to start and for her to be there watching.
Notes: Thanks to everyone for their support whether you’re a paid subscriber or just signed up for the free e-mails. Covering the WNBA is incredibly important to me and it’s awesome to see media coverage continue to expand. If you’re interested in supporting an independent writer and want to become a paid subscriber, you get access to every single game recap in its entirety, plus additional articles covering free agency, the draft, and more!
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