Kayla Thornton Bio: Net Worth, Salary and Professional Career

The WNBA has seen many star players rise from the low point of an athlete’s career to the peak. Kayla Thornton, the Germany-born star, is one such name, who went on to become a prominent figure on the WNBA landscape after going undrafted in her draft class. The 6-foot-1 forward born on October 20, 1992, in Germany has carved a notable path in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and also made her mark on other leagues with her gameplay. Ascent to the stardom certainly impacted Kayla Thornton’s net worth, with the star securing big contracts from the WNBA and leagues around the world also.
Thornton's resilience and determination have propelled her to a successful nine-year career in the WNBA, showcasing her prowess on both ends of the court. We will go through Kayla Thornton's contracts, salary, endorsement deals, and overall net worth in the article below.

Kayla Thornton's Early Life

Though KYL Thornton was born in Germany, when her American father Lewis Thornton, was stationed in Germany as a member of the U.S. military. Later, Thornton spent a significant period in the States. Playing for the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), Thornton led the side to a 29-win season, and her defensive prowess earned her multiple individual accolades. She was a two-way player for the side, leading the program in scoring also.

Kayla Thornton Personal Information

Before heading into the article and knowing more about Kayla Thornton's life, here are some of the essential information that you need to know about the WNBA star:

Kayla Thornton’s Personal Life

While much of Kayla Thornton’s public life revolves around her athletic career, her personal life, particularly her family background, has played a significant role in shaping the person she is today. Yet there are not many details about her personal life and routines. The daughter of former US military personnel led a devoted life to her profession and kept personal details away from the spotlight.
Although Kayla is active on social media, she has occasionally shared glimpses into her relationships and experiences. She has two brothers and even shared pics from her brother’s wedding. Though the names and professions of her brothers are not known.

Kayla Thornton Husband

Kayla Thornton is married to Cal Campbell. Her husband is the son of the late country music star Glen Campbell. As per reports from Aceshowbiz, the couple got married in Hawaii on the 14th of May, 2021. The wedding ceremony was very small, and only relatives and close friends were invited. They worked together on the documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me,” where their relationship is said to have blossomed. Kayla was a producer of the documentary.

Kayla Thornton’s Parents

Kayla is the daughter of Lewis and Merteen Thornton. Her father, Lewis, served in the U.S. military and was stationed in Germany during her birth. He is also a retired deacon. Her mother, Merteen, is a preacher and resides in Texas. Though her family has no athletic background, they instilled a sense of discipline and hard work required to succeed at the highest level.

Kayla Thornton Contracts

Thornton's professional journey began with the Washington Mystics in 2015, where she played 10 games. In 2017, she signed with the Dallas Wings, marking the start of a significant chapter in her career. Over six seasons with the Wings, Thornton developed into a reliable forward known for her defensive tenacity and rebounding skills. In February 2023, she was acquired by the New York Liberty in a three-team trade involving the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings. After winning titles with the Liberty franchise, she was selected by the expansion team, Golden State Valkyries in 2025, adding experience and a championship-calibre player to their young roster.
On September 1, 2023, Thornton signed a two-year contract extension with the New York Liberty, valued at $222,000. This contract, which includes no player or team options, guaranteed her $110,000 for the 2024 season and $112,000 for the 2025 season. In December 2024, during the WNBA Expansion Draft, Thornton was selected by the Golden State Valkyries, marking a new chapter in her career.

Kayla Thornton Salary

Kayla Thornton's salary is calculated on the basis of the number of professional contracts that she has signed so far. With the Valkyries, she will be earning $112,000 at the end of this season. As of the 2025 season, Thornton's total career earnings in the WNBA amount to approximately $630,904. Her consistent performance and leadership have solidified her reputation as a valuable asset to her teams. She earned her maximum salary at the age of 32 with the Valkyries in 2025.

Kyla Thornton Net Worth

Kayla Thornton's net worth is not publicly available. After spending over nine seasons in the WNBA, Kayla Thornton’s estimated net worth is around $1 million, which accounts for her long-term contracts and salaries drawn from the league. A major reason for Kayla Thornton’s net worth valuation being unknown is her endorsement deals, which do not include any major brands and are not made public.

Kayla Thornton Career

While Kayla Thornton is widely known for her career in the WNBA, she has played beyond the women’s basketball league in US. Thornton has showcased her talents on the international stage, playing professionally in countries such as Australia, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Puerto Rico, Russia, and South Korea. These international stints not only highlight her versatility and adaptability but helped her gain vital experience for the WNBA and global recognition. Though Kayla Thornton’s stats with the foreign leagues are not confirmed, the following are her high school, college and WNBA stats.

Kayla Thornton's High School Career

Returning to the States, Kayla Thornton attended Irvin High School, where she became a basketball sensation. During her senior year, she averaged 28 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, leading her team to 29-win season and a district championship. Her scoring prowess was highlighted by a remarkable 54-point game against Riverside High School. She finished the program with 1,953 points.
Her exceptional performance earned her the El Paso Times MVP award and the 1-4A Female Athlete of the Year title from the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame.
Apart from her dominance on the basketball court, Thornton was a standout in track and field, winning district titles in the 100-meter hurdles, long jump, and triple jump, and finishing second in the 100-meter dash.

Kayla Thornton College Career

Thornton continued her basketball career at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she played for the Miners from 2010 to 2014. Over her four-year college career, she became UTEP's all-time leading scorer with 1,679 points, surpassing the previous record of 1,032 points. Her defensive game earned her many accolades during her college seasons.
Thornton was known for her versatility, combining scoring, rebounding, and defensive skills. She became the first player in UTEP history to average a double-double in a season, posting 19.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game in her senior year.

Kayla Thornton Professional Career

Going undrafted in 2014, Kayla Thornton with the Washington Mystics and played 10 games during the 2015 season. In 2017, she signed with the Dallas Wings, where she spent six seasons (2017–2022), establishing herself as a reliable forward. In February 2023, she was traded to the New York Liberty, contributing to their 2024 WNBA Championship victory. In December 2024, she was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Expansion Draft.

Here is a summary of Kayla Thornton's stats in the WNBA so far:

Kayla Thornton's Achievements and Legacy

Kayla Thornton's journey from an undrafted player to a WNBA champion exemplifies determination and perseverance. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, demonstrating that with hard work and dedication, obstacles can be overcome, and dreams can be realized. She has achieved massive success in WNBA as well as in the European leagues. Here are some of her notable achievements over the course of her career: