Breanna Stewart's move in Turkey to play for Fenerbahce Opet sparked headlines a few days ago, and now, the New York Liberty has disclosed the primary reason behind her move.

Stewart opened up about her EuroLeague venture during her visit to the February 20 episode of Azzi Fudd’s ‘Fudd Around and Find Out’ podcast, which featured her collaboration with Myles Turner. The New York Liberty star said that Fenerbahce Opet made an unrefusable offer to her, which convinced her to play two games for the Turkish team.

Stewart specified, “I’m going back to Fenerbahce. They literally offered me something that I couldn’t refuse”, Stewie said. “I’m gonna go there in beginning of April, and play the 2 games potentially for the final four. And help bring another EuroLeague championship back to Fener.”

The Liberty star first played for the Turkish team in 2022, helping them to win the championship and earning Final Four MVP honors in the process. So, this return is basically a reunion.

“It was something that I didn’t think would ever happen again, and then they just sent me something I couldn’t say no to”, she added, emphasising her two-week stay with the team.

While Fudd and others were positive about this news, Stewart herself did not explicitly state what that unrefusable offer was. However, Candace Parker’s recent opinion can give a lead.

Candace Parker’s Perspective on Breanna Stewart’s Move

Stewart’s decision to leave right before the WNBA season earned some internet criticism. And the two-time WNBA MVP, Parker, linked this to the potential delay the WNBA might face due to a pending CBA.

“So, everyone obviously on social media cause that’s what the internet does, takes something and runs and basically says because Stewie signing there, it indicates that either the WNBA season is not starting on time or it is possibly not happening at all”, Parker said.

She also mentions the Unrivaled league’s focus point, which was to back players up financially so that they don’t have to play overseas during the offseason. When Stewart, the co-founder of the 3v3 league, is flying out of the country to play, that indeed raises more questions than it answers.

“It’s just weird because I feel like Unrivaled was established not to go overseas. But I wonder what people are saying in terms of, like, the founder of Unrivaled going overseas”, Parker added.

Is it the season delay? Extra income? Or just an urge to wear the yellow-navy stripes again? We wouldn’t know unless Stewart states it clearly. But for now, what do you think might have been her reason? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy