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The WNBA is as popular as it’s ever been, leading to higher revenue and more lucrative endorsement deals. However, the athletes across the 13 teams are earning far less than their male counterparts. How much do WNBA players make nowadays? While salaries are higher, there’s still room for improvement. Here’s a look at the W and the significant disparity.
How Much Do WNBA Players Make in 2026?
The mean salary for WNBA players is closer to the typical software developer or sales manager. Experts say these athletes make $102,249 annually as their base salary. The lowest-paid players make about $66,000 per season, whereas the maximum is $250,000. As a WNBA star, you can make more with endorsements and other business ventures. However, only a handful of basketball players are afforded this opportunity.
WNBA players make more now than they did when the league first started — the days of Cynthia Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes. Since 2003, the W’s salary cap has increased by about 27% to $1.5 million. However, that money is for the entire team. Most squads keep 11 or 12 players, so the money must be divided among all of them.
The WNBA Stars Making the Most Money
The stars, unsurprisingly, demand high salaries. How much do the best WNBA players make? Here are the top five earners.
1. Kelsey Mitchell
Salary: $269,244
Kelsey Mitchell has been the Indiana Fever’s combo guard since the 2018 season. Last season, she signed a one-year contract worth $269,244, making her the league’s highest-paid player. The Ohio State product has made the WNBA All-Star team three years in a row and earned First Team All-WNBA honors in 2025. She’s undoubtedly among the top basketball talents.
2. Jewell Loyd
Salary: $249,032
Jewell Loyd is among the most decorated athletes in the modern WNBA. She has three rings, six All-Star appearances and multiple All-WNBA honors. In 2024, she signed a contract worth nearly $250,000 annually until 2026, when she will become a free agent. She’ll be among the best players on the market, so her salary could get even higher.
3. Arike Ogunbowale
Salary: $249,032
Arike Ogunbowale makes the exact same salary as Loyd, tying for second across the WNBA. The Notre Dame product has been a steady producer for the Dallas Wings, scoring at least 18 points per game in six of her seven seasons. She’s already the franchise’s leading scorer, and she’ll look to make more money when her contract expires in 2026.
4. Kahleah Copper
Salary: $248,134
Kahleah Copper took a while to become the star, but her breakout was incredible. By 2021, she had established herself among the top female players in all of basketball. In any given game, she’s good for 20 points, five rebounds and a couple of assists. The Mercury signed her to a high salary in 2024, with her contract set to expire after the upcoming season.
5. Sabrina Ionescu
Salary: $222,060
Sabrina Ionescu draws comparisons to Steph Curry because of her 3-point shooting ability. They even competed during NBA All-Star weekend, marking a historic occasion. She’s among the league’s elite talents, leading the New York Liberty to a title in 2024. The California kid is also one of the most marketable athletes, raising the bar for how much WNBA players make.
The Salaries of Their NBA Counterparts
The disparity between WNBA players and their NBA counterparts is significant. NBA rookies make at least $1.1 million annually — more than four times the W’s top star. The top league for men’s basketball makes more money because of its revenue. The NBA benefits from sponsorships, global popularity and lucrative media deals.
Plus, it’s simply been around longer. The NBA started in 1949, so it has had much longer to gain popularity. The league has benefited from old stars like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. Meanwhile, the WNBA is about to commence its 30th season. Sports associations need time to grow and embed themselves in popular culture. It seems like the WNBA is about ready to skyrocket.
Should WNBA Players Make More?
How much should NBA players make annually? The debate is nuanced and warrants careful consideration. Here are a few factors affecting the circumstances.
Revenue Sharing
The conversation should start with revenue sharing, rather than focusing solely on salaries. NBA players earned half the league’s revenue in 2024, ensuring these athletes get their fair share. Meanwhile, WNBA stars only received 10% of the league’s money. Future collective bargaining agreements are likely to include this topic, as it significantly affects player salaries.
Media Rights
The future of WNBA salaries is brighter because of the league’s media rights deal. In 2024, the league announced a $2.2 billion partnership with Disney, Amazon Prime Video and NBCUniversal. Increasing the salary cap will be much more feasible thanks to this deal. If fans continue to watch on TV and attend arenas, the sky is the limit.
Viewership and Engagement
The WNBA fundamentally shifted in 2024 once the Draft was completed in April. Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink and Angel Reese instantly joined the ranks of the elite talents and the most marketable players. These star players have generated more interest, leading to fierce online debates and increased TV ratings. Last fall, ESPN reported record WNBA viewership, rising by 6% year-over-year.
Living Expenses
Salaries are frankly too low in the WNBA. Some players make the minimum salary despite living in cities with a high cost of living. For instance, Rebekah Gardner and Marine Johannès earn the lowest wages among the New York Liberty players. Yet, each must navigate the Big Apple’s expenses. Plenty of athletes play overseas or have other offseason ventures to supplement their incomes.
Other Considerations
The WNBA plays half the number of games that the NBA does. Its season stretches from May to October, with teams playing 44 matches plus the playoffs in 2025. Few games mean fewer opportunities to earn money. Extending the season is one strategy to increase revenue, as it generates more ticket sales and viewership. That said, you must account for injuries and overall fatigue.
Debating How Much WNBA Players Should Make
The WNBA salary debate is evolving as the league is exploding in popularity. Suddenly, it’s among the top sports in the summer, especially once the NBA season ends. How high can Clark, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart take the league? Their salaries have yet to catch up to the fame. Time will tell whether they get the money they deserve.
