Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is working on a$ 76, 535 salary this year.
It’s a figure that sparked a national debate about the pay gap between WNBA people and their men counterparts in the NBA. Despite receiving more attention on the club than ever before, there has still been a significant investment wave across the W.
Before the 2025 WNBA year, the first step will be a possible opt-out of the latest collective bargaining agreement, which runs through 2027. The Women’s National Basketball Players Association ( WNBPA ) has the option to exercise the opt- out this November. The WNBPA needs to reach a decision at this crucial time to agree club minimum wages, bonuses, and better overall financial advantages for players.

As of now, WNBA people receive 50 % of incremental profit, a portion of income that exceeds expected profit targets. However NBA players receive 50 % of total income, which includes hockey- related income like broadcast rights, typical- season ticket sales and merchandise.
The NBA, which owns about 50 % of the WNBA, justifies the disparity between the two teams by its large audience and lucrative sponsorship profit, which the NBA generates in comparison to the W. Only this time, the NBA generated a history$ 1.5 billion in funding income only.
But this reality has n’t stopped the women’s side from fighting for more. With its recent agreements with ESPN, CBS, and Ion expiring in 2025, the WNBA’s ability to secure lucrative media rights treaties also affects their raises. With the new star-studded quarterback class featuring athletes like Clark, Sky’s Angel Reese, and Sparks ‘ Cameron Brink, those offers are anticipated to be more beneficial.
Followers continue to cheer on and help players like Phoenix Mercury core Brittney Griner, New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, and Las Vegas Aces sun A’ja Wilson, who are all among the WNBA’s most well-known players. But they’re not among the highest- paid this year.
Wilson’s partner, Jackie Young, has the name of the highest- paid person, earning$ 252, 450, according to Spotrac, which tracks person wages and contract price. Playing for the royal ago- to- back hero Aces, Young is one of the team’s best people.
The two- time WNBA All Star is followed up on the list by Seattle’s Jewell Loyd ($ 245, 508 ), Phoenix’s Kahleah Cooper ($ 245, 059 ), Dallas ‘ Arike Ogunbowale ($ 241, 984 ) and Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi ($ 234, 936 ).
Wilson, Clark, Stewart, and Ionescu are just a few of the stars who, while not having the most lucrative contracts this season, can make up the difference with sponsorship deals and endorsement deals that other lesser-known players wo n’t receive.
There are also other ways for the best players to get extra money. Clark, for example, could earn$ 250, 000 under the league’s player marketing agreements ( PMAs ).
The W is required to contribute up to$ 1 million annually to the PMA program, which was introduced as part of the current CBA signed back in 2020. The initiative’s goal is to promote the league itself while assisting players in earning more money and building off-the-court brands.
Players have also got the chance to profit from the team marketing agreements ( TMAs ). Another leaguewide initiative aimed at promoting players ‘ profile is called WNBA Ambassadors. Teams in this program can expect to spend up to$ 100, 000 annually ( but not less than$ 50, 000 ) on players who achieve various performance objectives, such as winning awards, or playing in the All-Star Game.
The 2020 CBA was touted as a groundbreaking agreement that offered WNBA players more financial security. However, more than four years later, it’s anticipated that the players ‘ union will work to improve compensation arrangements while utilizing the league’s unprecedented growth.