Turkish Dispute Could Cloud French Star’s Return to WNBA 

Dominique Malonga has the potential to become one of the biggest international stars in the history of the WNBA. 

But that bright future is in limbo as the 2025 No. 2 overall pick is in a dispute with Fenerbahçe, a professional women’s basketball club based in Istanbul, Turkey.

“Dominique Malonga, a player of our Fenerbahçe Opet Women’s Basketball Team, has unilaterally terminated her professional player contract with our club without any just cause,” Fenerbahçe posted to its X account on Monday. “We inform the public that we will exercise all our legal rights to seek compensation for any material and moral damages incurred by our club during this process.”

Malonga’s decision not to fulfill her three-year contract with Fenerbahçe could affect her WNBA career because of a rule that’s been in place since the WNBA began. 

Before the WNBA’s first season in 1997, playing overseas was largely the most lucrative option for women. In order to keep that door open, the WNBA signed on to FIBA’s “letter of clearance” system that lets players sign contracts in multiple leagues. The letter, which requires sign off from the player’s team and federation, establishes that the player has fulfilled their duties to the full extent of their contract and are eligible to play elsewhere. Most international leagues require it before a player can enter their league.

The WNBA has had an agreement with FIBA from day one that requires players be cleared in both directions when playing overseas and in the WNBA. 

According to multiple sources, the WNBA has already provided Fenerbahçe with its letter of clearance for Malonga. In order for Malonga to return to play in the WNBA in 2026, a letter of clearance from the Turkish federation by way of Fenerbahçe will be required. If there is an outstanding case between Fenerbahçe and Malonga, the letter of clearance could be withheld under the condition that she violated the terms of her contract.

In this case, FIBA would be prompted to look into the case to determine if there was just cause. The Seattle Storm directed FOS to the WNBA when contacted for comment. An email sent to Fenerbahçe’s listed press contact went unanswered. 

The reason for Malonga’s decision to terminate her contract with Fenerbahçe has not been disclosed. She shared an injury update to her TikTok account on Oct. 16, explaining she needed surgery following her rookie season with the Storm to repair a dislocated tendon in her wrist. Malonga said she will be in a cast for a total of six weeks. 

The 2026 WNBA season does not currently have a start date as the league and Women’s National Basketball Player’s Association continue negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA expires on Oct. 31, at which point both sides are expected to enter into an extension to continue negotiating, according to multiple league sources. 

Malonga made $78,831 in the WNBA this season. 

If the season tips off in May as it did in 2025, this would give Fenerbahçe and Malonga about six months to rectify any potential dispute and clear her for a WNBA return.