WNBA agree historic new pay deal featuring $1.4m supermax salaries
The WNBA and its players’ association have reached a verbal agreement on a transformative collective bargaining deal for the 2026 season.
The landmark arrangement follows 17 months of intense negotiations since players opted out of their previous contract.
Discussions culminated in a marathon 100 hours of in-person sessions during the final week.
There had been growing concerns that the North American basketball league might not start its 30th anniversary season on time.
Revenue sharing drives historic salary increases
For the first time in the competition’s history, the salary system will be directly tied to a share of overall revenue.
Players are projected to receive an average revenue share of nearly 20% across the duration of the agreement.
This marks a significant departure from the 2020 framework, which relied on rigidly set salary caps that increased by just 3% annually.
As the business side of the sport continues its rapid expansion, player remuneration will now grow proportionally.
Million-dollar contracts become reality
The new financial structure will drastically elevate the earning potential for the sport’s elite talents.
The team salary cap will rocket from approximately $1.5m (£1.2m) in 2025 to a staggering $7m (£5.5m) by 2026.
Supermax contracts will now start at $1.4m (£1.1m), shattering the previous high of roughly $249,000.
Average salaries across the division will surge to around $600,000 (£470,000), while the minimum wage will surpass $300,000 (£235,000).
Superstars set for supermax deals
The Las Vegas Aces are reportedly preparing to offer four-time Most Valuable Player A’ja Wilson one of the inaugural supermax packages.
Other leading figures, including New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, are also expected to command maximum terms.
Kelsey Mitchell, who stood as the highest-paid competitor last year, will similarly be in the mix for a seven-figure salary.
Union representatives and league officials alike have heralded the breakthrough as a legitimate structural leap that will benefit future generations of athletes.