Professional athletes make a ton of money, right? Multi-million dollar contracts, luxury cars, mansion purchases – that's just how pro sports work.
Not exactly.
While NBA players average over $12 million annually, the highest-paid WNBA player might shock you. We're talking about elite athletes who compete at the highest level, sell out arenas, and drive record TV ratings. Yet many still can't afford to live off their salaries.
So, let’s talk about it!
What is the highest WNBA salary? Why are salaries in the league so low? What changes might be coming down the pipeline? And, finally, how might all of this impact Portland’s entrance into the W in 2026?
What is the Highest WNBA Salary?
Let’s kick things off with the answer to the central question of this post — what is the highest WNBA right now?
Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces takes home $252,450 annually, making her the league's highest earner. Which is, frankly, nothing compared to the highest earners in the NBA (like Steph Curry, who makes over $55 million with the Golden State Warriors). And still, Young makes a significant margin more than most players in the W.
Angel Reese went viral for saying her $73,439 WNBA salary doesn’t pay her bills at all — and she's not wrong. This is why even the superstars like A'ja Wilson (with around a $200K WNBA salary) rely heavily on endorsement deals. (Wilson's Nike contract is reportedly worth $20 million over six years.)
The salary range tells the whole story: rookies like Caitlin Clark earn $76,000 (making her the 96th highest-paid player), while veterans max out around that $252K mark. It’s not just about the money, either — it’s about the respect for the work these athletes do on the court.
So, let’s take a deeper look at WNBA salaries. Why are the salaries so low? What needs to happen to change things? And, most importantly, how likely is it that things will change in the near future?
WNBA Salaries: A Brief History
The fight for fair pay in women's basketball has been a decades-long battle with some major wins and plenty of setbacks.
Here's how we got to today's salary structure:
- 1996: WNBA launches with rookie salaries around $15,000-$50,000
- 2016: Sue Bird signs record 5-year, $673,000 deal ($134,600 annually)
- 2018: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver admits WNBA loses $10 million annually
- 2020: Game-changing CBA boosts salaries 53%, introduces supermax at $215,000
- 2020: DeWanna Bonner, Elena Delle Donne, Skylar Diggins-Smith sign historic $224,870 supermax deals
- 2022: $75 million capital raise signals serious investment in league growth
- 2024: Jackie Young becomes the highest-paid player at $252,450
So, why are salaries still so low when the WNBA is growing so rapidly? Well, the WNBA generated $200 million in revenue in 2024. Compare that to the NBA's $10 billion revenue pool, and you see the fundamental problem.
Another complicating factor? WNBA players only get 20% of league revenue, while NBA players split 50-50 with owners.
The league's mysterious finances don't help either. Unlike the NBA, where team valuations and revenue estimates are public, the WNBA keeps its books mostly closed. When charter flights suddenly became "affordable" after years of being deemed impossible, it raised questions about what else might be possible if the league truly wanted to prioritize player compensation.
Forecasting Potential Salary Changes in 2026
All right, let’s get out our crystal balls and speculate a bit — we know where we’re at and where we’ve come from… but what might we be able to expect in 2026?
Our prediction is that we might see some conservative salary increases across the board. Some ranges we hope to see:
- Top 4 draft picks: $195,000-$235,000 (currently $78,831)
- Picks 5-8: $185,000-$225,000 (currently $75,643)
- Later picks: $175,000-$215,000 (currently $72,455)
- Veteran maximums: Potentially $500K-$1M range
Why might this be possible?
The WNBA has had a long road, in terms of profitability. But the stars might be aligning just right in 2026. The new $2.2 billion media rights deal with Disney, NBC Universal, and Amazon starts that year, averaging $200 million annually, more than triple the current $60 million deal. If the league decides to prioritize player compensation, this difference could be a game-changer.
Also, the WNBPA's decision to opt out of the current CBA sets up negotiations for a completely new payment model.
Then, you have the league’s explosive growth in recent years. The league's revenue has already doubled from $102 million in 2019 to $200 million in 2024. All in all, we could see some notable shifts in salaries in 2026 and beyond.
On The Flip Side…
These significant salary increases are far from guaranteed in the WNBA, though. Why? Well, there are a few key reasons.
First off, even with projected growth of the league, we're still talking about a $600-800 million revenue pool versus the NBA's $10 billion. You can't pay NBA-level salaries without NBA-level revenue.
Then, there’s the matter of the confusing financials of the W. Despite record revenue in 2024, the league reportedly lost $50 million. Why? It’s not incredibly clear, but if losses are growing alongside revenue, that severely limits salary negotiating power.
The roster size issue makes everything worse. While NBA teams carry 15 players plus three two-way contracts, WNBA teams are capped at just 12 roster spots. When stars like Georgia Amoore tear their ACL and occupy a roster spot all season while unable to play, teams are left with essentially 11 healthy players for an expanded schedule. More roster spots mean more salaries to pay, creating another math problem for a league already struggling with its bottom line.
Finally, there’s the college competition factor. Top college players are getting massive NIL deals to stay in college rather than entering the WNBA draft. Even our projected rookie salary increase isn’t going to compete with those top college deals, so the league may say, “What’s the point?”
What Do WNBA Salaries Need To Be (+ Why)?
Let's do some uncomfortable math here. When college players are out-earning professional rookies, something is seriously broken.
Olivia Miles got a $1 million NIL deal to transfer to TCU instead of entering the WNBA draft as a projected top-5 pick. Think about that for a second — staying in college literally pays 13 times more than going pro. Even with projected rookie salary increases to $235,000 for top picks in 2026, college is still paying better for elite talent.
This isn't just about one player. Caitlin Clark's college popularity led to a $28 million Nike deal, while, remember, her WNBA salary sits at $76,000. Ouch.
Then, there’s the matter of international ball and alternative leagues. WNBA players have been making $1 million+ overseas in countries like Australia, China, and Turkey for years. That's four times what Jackie Young makes as the league's highest earner.
The new Unrivaled league offered Caitlin Clark over $1 million annually, which is more than 13 times her WNBA salary. When alternative leagues can pay that much, the WNBA should start sweating. Either the league needs to adapt… or they risk losing their stars.
Shaquille O'Neal reportedly thinks players like Clark and Angel Reese should be making $20 million annually. That's probably unrealistic short-term, but it shows how the conversation has shifted from "can we pay more?" to "how much should we pay?"
What the Highest WNBA Salary (+ Potential Changes) Mean for Portland
Portland's timing might make things… interesting. We're entering the WNBA right as the salary revolution kicks into high gear. So, what does that mean for us?
By 2026, the new $2.2 billion media deal and CBA negotiations could mean we get to draft our inaugural team offering legitimate professional salaries instead of the current wages (which barely cover rent in most major US cities).
No more watching our stars disappear to Russia, Turkey, or Australia every offseason just to pay bills. If salary projections hold at that $500K-$1M range for top players, our athletes can actually afford to live in Portland year-round and focus on building something special.
Higher salaries also mean Portland can compete for top free agents who might skip expansion teams for established markets. When you're offering $500K instead of $200K, suddenly Rose City becomes a much more attractive destination for elite talent.
Plus, we're entering during what could be the most talent-rich era in WNBA history. Players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and future stars like JuJu Watkins are driving unprecedented growth. Portland gets to build around this golden generation while they're hitting their prime.
Basically, we might be entering at the perfect time, financially speaking. By the time our team hits its stride in years two and three, we could be competing in a league where million-dollar salaries are standard, not dreams.
The revolution is coming, and Rose City gets a front-row seat.
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