WNBA Salaries: What They REALLY Make Now
Every season, WNBA stars deliver elite-level basketball, shattering records and captivating audiences worldwide. Yet, the conversation surrounding the league inevitably turns to one critical, often frustrating topic: WNBA Player Salaries.
Are these professional athletes compensated commensurate with their talent and dedication? The answer is complex, rooted deeply in the economics of the league and the structure of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Let’s break down exactly what the biggest stars and the average player truly earn.
Understanding WNBA Player Salaries: The CBA Foundation
Unlike the NBA, which has been established for decades, the WNBA is still a growing league focused on expansion and revenue generation. All compensation is governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the WNBA and the WNBPA (WNBA Players Association).
The most recent CBA, ratified in 2020, marked a significant step forward, greatly improving the financial structure for players by increasing salary caps, enhancing travel benefits, and creating higher minimums. This agreement fundamentally changed the landscape of WNBA Player Salaries.
Key components of the CBA structure include:
Salary Cap: A fixed limit on how much each team can spend on player compensation annually. Revenue Sharing: Players now share in increased revenue generated by the league (e.g., through marketing partnerships and media deals). Prioritization Clause: A controversial rule mandating players arrive for training camp on time, which has a direct impact on those who play overseas during the off-season.
How Much Do WNBA Players Make? Breaking Down the Tiers
WNBA Player Salaries are tiered, meaning compensation varies widely based on seniority, designation (Core Player vs. Reserved Player), and individual performance bonuses. While the exact figures rise slightly each year, here is a general breakdown of the salary structure under the current CBA.
The Maximum Salary Tier
The highest-paid players in the WNBA often fall into the “Supermax” tier, designed for the most elite, veteran players. These salaries put players in the highest brackets, often receiving seven-figure total compensation (including marketing agreements and bonuses).
The current highest available annual base salary tiers are:
Standard Max: Approximately $200,000 to $206,000. Supermax Tier: Reserved for players who meet specific criteria (like years of service and MVP awards), currently hovering around $242,000 to $252,000 for the 2024 season.
For context, superstars like A’ja Wilson, Jewell Loyd, and Diana Taurasi are often reported to earn in the maximum salary tiers.
Average and Minimum Salaries
While the maximum salary generates headlines, the majority of the league earns closer to the average. The WNBA is unique in that the variance between the max salary and the minimum salary is significantly smaller than in male professional leagues.
| Salary Tier | Minimum Annual Salary | Average Salary (Estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 Years Experience | ~$64,000 | N/A |
| 3+ Years Experience | ~$76,000 | N/A |
| League Average | N/A | ~$110,000 – $130,000 |
Rookie Scale Salaries
Rookies entering the league through the WNBA Draft operate on a fixed rookie scale, meaning their compensation is determined by their draft spot, not individualized negotiation.
For a four-year contract structure:
| Draft Position | Year 1 Salary (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1st to 4th Pick | ~$76,000 |
| 5th to 8th Pick | ~$74,000 |
| 9th to 12th Pick | ~$72,000 |
The Elephant in the Room: Off-Season Earnings
When discussing WNBA Player Salaries, it is crucial to remember that the base pay listed above represents only their WNBA income. Historically, the limited salary structure forced nearly every player to seek substantial off-season income by playing professionally overseas.
The Overseas Paycheck
Many WNBA players earn significantly more money abroad—often two to three times their WNBA salary—in leagues in Russia, Turkey, China, and Italy.
Average Overseas Pay: Elite players can earn between $400,000 and $1 million for a single season overseas.
- The Conflict: Playing abroad ensures financial stability but leads to year-round exhaustion and conflict with WNBA training camp dates (the Prioritization Clause). The new CBA seeks to limit this reliance by increasing WNBA base pay.
Marketing and Endorsements
The real money for the league’s most visible stars comes from endorsement deals, sponsorships, and league-sponsored marketing programs.
The WNBA has instituted a Marketing Agreement Program, which allows top players to earn up to an additional $300,000 annually through participating in promotional activities funded by the league, providing a vital pathway to boost their total earnings without having to play overseas.
The Future of WNBA Player Salaries
The trajectory for WNBA Player Salaries is sharply upward. Fueled by increased visibility, massive investment, and a growing fanbase, the financial health of the league is stronger than ever.
Key Factors Driving Growth
- Media Deals: Future media rights agreements are expected to dramatically increase league revenue, directly translating into a larger salary cap and higher pay floors for the players under the revenue-sharing model.
- Expansion: The planned addition of new franchises (e.g., Golden State in 2025) means more jobs and increased competition for talent, which drives salaries upward.
- WNBA Buy-In: High-profile investors and celebrity support have boosted the league’s valuation, increasing the overall pool of money available for player compensation.
While the highest WNBA salaries still lag far behind those in the NBA, the gap is slowly closing thanks to strategic collective bargaining and explosive league growth. The next CBA negotiation will likely usher in a new era of even greater financial opportunity for WNBA athletes.