EXCLUSIVE: WNBA Star Breanna Stewart on Unrivaled’s Big Opportunity, Motivating Her Kids and Having the Perfect Teammate in Puma

Breanna Stewart was clearly in her element at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Games last month.

The WNBA star, vying for her third gold medal in the City of Light, documented all the behind-the-scenes action as the star-studded Team USA made its way down the Seine in the rain.

She captured flag bearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff being interviewed by NBC host Maria Taylor, nabbed a selfie with the sparkling Eiffel Tower in the background and proudly posed with her women’s basketball crew, including A’ja Wilson, FN’s other dynamic cover star. (Fans are so enamored with the dominant pair that they’ve started referring to them as Stew’Ja and Stewilson when the athletes step on court together.)

“Gotta add photographer to my resume,” Stewart said on Instagram.

That resume is stacked: Not only has she been one of the WNBA’s biggest stars since 2016, but she’s one of the league’s most ardent activists. Her favorite role? Mom.

“Whether we’re with our kids or on the basketball court, I want to be the best that I can be and show my kids that when they get older, they can do anything that they want,” she said, addressing press the day before Team USA’s opening game. (They handily beat Japan.)

Stewart has two children with her wife, retired Spanish basketball player Marta Xargay: Ruby, 2, and Theo, nine months. And even if they aren’t alongside her physically, their presence is always felt.

For instance, for her FN cover shoot at PMC Studios in New York City, Stewart covered a cut on her knee with one of Ruby’s “Paw Patrol” Band-Aids, which she jokingly asked remain in the photos.

A major fashion shoot is atypical for the athlete, but she’s embracing the opportunity to immerse herself in the style world as athletes take center stage.

“These kinds of shoots are intriguing. [I’m used to] basketball shoots where I dribble the ball between my legs and shoot hoops, but I want to be around other people in fashion and understand their vision,” she said.

Stewart, now in her eighth WNBA season, understands that the style stakes are higher than ever. At a defining moment for women’s basketball, viewership for the league is skyrocketing and brands from all corners of the market are clamoring to outfit players, on and off the court.

“When I think about my rookie year, if I had a big event, my ’fits were great,” she said. “Now, I’m paying attention to them no matter what, whether it’s going to dinner or All-Star or the tunnel ’fits — and I’m making sure they’re all special.”

And now, all eyes are on Stewart and Team USA as they compete at the Summer Games in Paris this week.

Stewart has competed in the Olympics twice before, helping the team win gold in 2016, the same year she was the number-one WNBA draft pick. They won again in 2020, at a time when female players were still struggling with visibility as their male counterparts soared.

Four years later, the tide has shifted dramatically.

The star-studded 2024 WNBA Draft — which included Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink and others — has brought more eyes to the league. Games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and CBS are averaging 1.32 million viewers, which is nearly triple last season’s average of 462,000.

Stewart recalled her own frustration when moving to the pros, and the fact that many college fans disappeared. Now, she’s excited to see the changes.

“With this class, you see it. [The fans] are paying attention,” she said. “Maybe it’s because [the players] have been in the NIL circuit for two full years while in college, so they’ve been building their brand, making themselves marketable and bringing that to the WNBA. Their fans are still locked in, and we love to see it.”

BEING AN ACTIVIST

While the conversation around pay equity in women’s sports has been heating up for years, Stewart has been a force for change since her debut season in the WNBA.

“I’m trying to understand why we, as professional female athletes, don’t receive anywhere near the fame,” she said in her 2016 ESPYs award acceptance speech for Athlete of the Year.

Stewart continues to fight for more equal pay, a cause she championed most recently in the documentary “Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story.”

“We [need as much] help as possible for moms in this league. There are a lot of babies, which is really cool, but we need to make sure that we have all the help and benefits that we need,” she said.

At a critical moment, the athlete and other players are evaluating their collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which began in the 2020 season and runs through 2027. “We’re at a pivotal time because we have the opportunity to stay in the current CBA or opt out after the season,” Stewart explained.

One big bargaining point: The addition of pensions, which would give retired players a financial boost after they stop playing. “It’s a way to give back to the ones that got us to this point,” Stewart said.

The WNBA leader also wants to open new doors for her peers.

Along with fellow WNBA star Napheesa Collier, Stewart is promoting Unrivaled, a new three-on-three women’s basketball league the pair cofounded that will feature 30 of the sport’s best players.

Set to debut in January 2025 during the WNBA offseason, Unrivaled — which has attracted high-profile media and sports investors — will offer players six-figure salaries, as well as equity in the league. It also makes it possible for players to stay in the U.S. in the off-season rather than compete overseas, where the salaries are often better than in the WNBA.

“This is amazing — a league where people are home, but in a different city than normal WNBA markets,” Stewart said. “When you go overseas and have kids, you miss out on a lot. You’re also not being seen by the fans or your peers. This will make sure you stay relevant in the months the WNBA is not happening.”

ELEVATING HER FASHION GAME

Reminiscing on her start in the WNBA, Stewart remembered some of her more questionable fashion choices. “If you think about what you’re wearing 10 years ago, you’re probably like, ‘What was I doing?’” she said with a laugh.

Now a league veteran, Stewart said her style has matured, and she has found a lane in fashion where she feels like her most comfortable and best self. And her fashion choices are more consistent.

Stewart — who joined the Liberty in February 2023 after winning two championships with the Seattle Storm — also recognizes her increased visibility now living in Brooklyn. “You definitely need to pay more attention to what you’re wearing. No matter where you’re going, someone will see you,” she said.

To help find her fashion lane, Stewart tapped wardrobe stylist Courtney Mays to craft her look. The two have worked together since the 2023 WNBA season.

“[Stewart] is one of the best dressed in the league, and she’s not in a miniskirt and pumps before the game,” said Velissa Vaughn, veteran publicist and founder of the style-focused WNBA Tunnel Instagram account. “She is the epitome of chic style, and she and Courtney have built that.”

Mays — whose clients include Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe and others — said that Stewart is clear about what she likes and dislikes, but is also willing to try new things. “Giving her those ruffly Margiela shorts [during the FN shoot] was pushing it, but she understood there’s a time for everything,” Mays said.

She noted that Stewart’s style often bucks current WNBA tunnel walk trends.

“Everything [right now] is ultrafeminine. You’re seeing miniskirts and crop tops, bralettes. What’s cool about Stewie [as Stewart is affectionately called by fans] is she’s stayed consistent. She likes the oversize, a bit more masculine presenting,” Mays said. “Also, she can do high-low. She might have on Acne pants, but her top might be from Zara, or she might wear a complete Marni suit with a New Era cap.”

Stewart’s favorite brands are diverse. While she is fond of Marni, Issey Miyake, Casablanca, Agolde, Fear of God and Dior, she also favors graphic T-shirts from Urban Outfitters and Target.

And when it comes to footwear, Stewart’s collection is dominated by Puma sneakers, as well as boots from Celine, Bottega Veneta, Golden Goose and Dr. Martens, lots of loafers (including Prada) and Birkenstock sandals.

“She is a men’s 12. That impacts what’s available,” Mays said. “But what’s cool now is men’s shoes are becoming a bit gender- fluid, and the way we’re dressing is not determined by our gender, but by what’s cool. I love that she’s able to incorporate things that are traditionally menswear staples — a loafer, a derby, a Chelsea boot — on top of incorporating Puma.”

THE RIGHT TEAMMATE

After wearing Nike throughout college and into her professional career, Stewart parted ways with the brand and joined Puma in May 2021. Three years prior, the brand reentered basketball in a major way, including NBA rookie signings, a lifetime deal for Walt “Clyde” Frazier and naming Jay-Z as president of the business unit.

At the time of Stewart’s signing, Puma confirmed she would receive her own signature shoe, a rarity in women’s basketball. The WNBA hadn’t had a player with a signature shoe for more than a decade prior — the last being Candace Parker’s second shoe with Adidas, the Ace Versatility, which arrived in 2011. (Since then, players including Liberty teammate Sabrina Ionescu and Elena Delle Donne debuted signature sneakers, and Wilson was the most recent athlete to make waves with her Swoosh deal.)

Max Staiger, Puma global head of basketball, described Stewart as a player with immense talent and someone who can connect with all kinds of people.

When talks between the pair started, Stewart was intent on changing the game for the next generation and becoming more of a role model in women’s basketball. That’s when Puma suggested upping the stakes with signature footwear. “We had this conversation where I said, ‘It’s crazy that you don’t have this yet. Look at your accolades,’” Staiger recalled.

Stewart’s first signature collection with Puma featured her shoe, the Stewie 1, which debuted in September 2022 — and the process turned out to be a deep learning experience for the player.

“I was overwhelmed because you got to pick colors, find pieces. Doing that in the middle of a pandemic was difficult because you can’t have your hands on anything,” Stewart explained. “But everyone who is part of the creative design team at Puma has been incredible from the jump. And now, I understand how much say and input I have. If I don’t like something, I speak on it and we change it because the collection is a direct reflection of me.”

Jacob Garcia, lead footwear designer at Puma, has also noticed an evolution in the relationship. “As time went on, both sides started to understand the process and workflow,” Garcia said. “We have the same core five or six people working on her product, and Breanna has grown in her comfort in talking design. She openly admits she doesn’t like giving negative feedback, but our design reviews have turned more into a hangout than a corporate meetup.”

Three shoes in, Stewart has clearly found her groove when it comes to product creation, as well as her style voice. For instance, Stewart and Puma have secured collaborations that are true to her (including a “major” one that will debut in September). Also, she has the flexibility to work with her past shoes, such as this year’s “Cherry on Top” Stewie 2. The model originally debuted in 2023.

The Stewie 3 is front and center as Stewart and Team USA continue their Paris run. It will be another defining moment during a frenetic period. “I look at my calendar and every day is booked,” Stewart said. “But I’m in a space where I can continue to push myself, this league and women’s sports forward.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.