WNBA Players See Salaries Rise Sharply Under New Collective Bargaining Agreement

The WNBA is entering its 30th season following ratification of a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement between the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association. The agreement introduces a revenue sharing system and sets an estimated average salary of $583,000.

All players will earn a minimum of $270,000 this season, up from $66,000 previously. Some players will earn as much as $1.4 million. ” She will earn $277,500 this season, up from $110,000 two years ago.

“This isn’t only going to enhance the superstars in our league and the rising stars of the rookies, but it’s going to change the lives of the heartbeat of the league,” Clark said. ” Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, who earned $175,000 in 2024 and $180,000 last season, will receive $1.19 million under the new deal.

Her first priority is buying a house for her mother, who currently lives in a trailer the family has occupied for Williams’s entire life. Williams also plans to pay off the family’s cars and retire her mother.

In past years many WNBA players spent their offseasons playing in countries such as Russia, Turkey and China, where salaries were substantially higher than those available in the United States. The higher domestic salaries now give players the option to remain in the United States during the offseason, either playing in domestic leagues such as Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited or taking time to rest and train.

Maddy Siegrist of the Dallas Wings saw her salary increase to $501,180 from $83,781 last year. She said playing overseas is now a choice rather than a necessity. Alanna Smith, who will earn $1.19 million with the Wings this season, said the new salaries make planning for retirement easier.

She no longer feels the same pressure to map out a second career immediately after her playing days end. The previous collective bargaining agreement lapsed in October 2025. The new agreement was ratified in March.