Know All About How Much Highest Paid WNBA Player Can Earn With New CBA

For the longest time, the WNBA has been in contention for the salary it pays out to it's players. Compared to it's parent league NBA, the W's salary is quite meagre, lower than even a rookie scale contract in the men's league. However, in the recent few years, increase in viewership has brought in revenue, which has brought back the demands for an increased salary for players.

Ahead of the 2025 season, the league and the players' association (WNBPA) have begun negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This document defines the league's salary cap, roster sizes, eligibility, and the length of the season, to list a few. Last October, the WNBPA opted to terminate the current CBA at the conclusion of this season, two years before it's scheduled end.

The current CBA, agreed in January 2020, had set the tone for the league's rapid growth over the past five years. This is evident from the most-watched regular season ever on ESPN and a record sales in merchandise. Following the 2024 season, the league reached new broadcast deals which will bring in significant amount of revenue. Let's break down how much would the players earn, if this new CBA deal comes in place.

How Much Will Highest Paid WNBA Player Earn After New CBA?

After the 2025 season, the league will start negotiations for a new CBA. As per ESPN's Kevin Pelton, one of the significant concerns among players is a potential increase in their earnings under the new CBA.

Pelton highlighted the slight increase in teams' maximum salaries, which went from $117,500 in 2019 to $215,000 in 2020. As per Pelton, the cap under the new CBA could jump by 30% from $996,100 per team to at least $1,300,000. Pelton wrote,

Besides a potential salary increase, the players also seek to secure more perks under the new CBA. One of the most significant demands under this big deal would be having charter flights for teams. Pelton further writes,

Most spectators believe one of the main concerns for the league could have been the increasing popularity of the 3-v-3 league Unrivalled. Started by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivalled paid $220,000 in salaries in their first season. However, the WNBA does not view the 3v3 league as a potential rival.

As WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson said, “What we've heard from our members is that Unrivaled sent a message, a strong message about the still untapped potential and resources in women's sports.” Perhaps this tantamount pressure on the league from players could perhaps bring some closure to the disparity that the WNBA faces in terms of salaries, compared to the NBA.