WNBA ratifies historic new CBA as team salary cap surges to $7m
The WNBA and its players have unanimously agreed to a historic seven-year collective bargaining agreement that will see the team salary cap surge to $7m (£5.5m) in 2026.
The league’s board of governors ratified the deal on Tuesday, following unanimous approval from the players a day earlier.
It guarantees unprecedented financial growth across the division, transforming the earning potential of both established stars and incoming rookies.
The team salary cap will undergo a massive jump from $1.5m last year to $7m next season.
Supermax deals for elite stars
The drastic cap increase paves the way for the sport’s top talent to earn seven-figure salaries for the first time.
Las Vegas Aces centre A’ja Wilson is projected to command a $1.4m supermax contract in 2026.
The 29-year-old took a pay cut to earn $200,000 last season, allowing her franchise to build a championship-winning roster around her.
After claiming an unprecedented fourth Most Valuable Player award in 2025, the three-time WNBA champion is now expected to secure the maximum allowed under the new rules.
Other elite players across the division will be eligible for standard maximum salaries capped at $1.19m.
Rookie earnings and rising averages
The financial benefits of the new agreement extend far beyond the league’s veteran superstars.
The WNBA estimates the average player salary will reach approximately $583,800 next year.
Dependable mid-tier veterans, such as Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith, are expected to see their earnings quadruple to around $600,000.
Meanwhile, standout young talents like Caitlin Clark are projected to earn upwards of $500,000 on their entry-level rookie contracts.
Individual performance bonuses have also been significantly boosted.
The cash prize for the MVP award will rise from $15,450 to $60,000 this season.
A frantic off-season schedule
With the financial framework now finalised, general managers face a highly compressed timeline to build their rosters.
An expansion draft for new franchises in Toronto and Portland is scheduled for 6 April.
That precedes a massive free agency period opening on 7 April, followed swiftly by the collegiate draft on 13 April.