The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has made significant strides in improving player compensation. With increasing revenue, sponsorships, and collective bargaining agreements (CBA), the WNBA salary range has expanded, offering players better pay than ever before.
Despite these advancements, the pay gap between NBA and WNBA salaries remains a widely discussed issue. Many fans and analysts frequently ask: how much do WNBA players make, and why is it so much lower than NBA salaries?
Several factors influence how much WNBA players make, including:
✔ Experience & Contract Status – Veterans earn more than rookies.
✔ Sponsorships & Endorsements – Brand deals significantly boost income.
✔ Revenue Growth – The league’s financial success impacts salary caps.
✔ International Play – Many WNBA stars supplement income by playing overseas.
✔ Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) – Determines salary structures & benefits.
In this article, we break down the WNBA salary range, including average earnings, highest-paid players, and the evolving financial landscape of women’s basketball.
The average WNBA salary in 2025 is expected to be around $130,000, a significant rise from previous years.
🏀 WNBA Average Salaries (2022-2025)
Year | Average Salary 💰 |
---|---|
2022 | $102,751 |
2023 | $113,295 |
2024 | $128,250 |
2025 (Projected) | $130,000+ |
🔹 Salaries are rising steadily, reflecting the growth of the WNBA! 🚀
✔ The 2020 CBA agreement established higher base salaries and revenue-sharing incentives.
✔ WNBA teams receive greater sponsorship investments, leading to higher payroll budgets.
✔ Players are demanding better contracts as the league continues to grow.
If you're wondering, how much does WNBA players make compared to past years, the steady growth in salaries is a promising sign.
The highest-paid WNBA player in 2024-2025 is expected to be Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings, earning $234,936 per season.
🏆 Rank | 🏀 Player | 🏟 Team | 💰 Salary (2024-25) |
---|---|---|---|
1️⃣ | Arike Ogunbowale | Dallas Wings | $234,936 |
2️⃣ | Jewell Loyd | Seattle Storm | $234,936 |
3️⃣ | Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury | $234,936 |
4️⃣ | Breanna Stewart | New York Liberty | $202,154 |
5️⃣ | Elena Delle Donne | Washington Mystics | $200,000+ |
🔥 WNBA stars are securing top contracts as the league grows! 🚀
✔ Endorsements: Nike, Puma, and Adidas deals add millions to their income.
✔ Overseas Contracts: Some WNBA stars play in Europe or China, earning $500K+ per season
📌 Example: Brittney Griner played for a Russian team earning $1M+ per season, nearly 4x her WNBA salary
The lowest paid WNBA player in 2025 will earn around $64,154, the league’s minimum salary for rookies.
✔ Rookie Contracts – First-year players have salary caps.
✔ Limited Roster Spots – With only 144 WNBA players, competition is fierce.
✔ Team Salary Cap Limits – Teams must balance payroll across the roster.
Typically, bench players and first-year athletes sign minimum contracts, making between $64,154 and $76,535.
📊 League-established minimum salaries:
Player Type | 💰 Minimum Salary (2025) |
---|---|
🏆 Rookies | $64,154 |
🔹 Players with 3+ Years of Experience | $76,535 |
🔥 Veterans (6+ Years) | $120,000+ |
📌 Veterans with max contracts can easily surpass $200,000 per year! 💰🚀
Year | 💰 Max Salary | 📊 Average Salary | 🔹 Min Salary |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | $228,094 | $102,751 | $60,471 |
2023 | $232,000 | $113,295 | $62,285 |
2024 | $234,936 | $128,250 | $64,154 |
2025 (Projected) | $240,000+ | $130,000+ | $65,000+ |
🔹 Supermax contracts allow top players to exceed $234,936.
🔹 Revenue-sharing incentives could push salaries even higher! 🚀🏀
The NBA vs. WNBA salary gap remains significant:
🏆 League | 🏀 Top Player | 💰 Max Salary |
---|---|---|
WNBA | Arike Ogunbowale | $234,936 |
NBA | Steph Curry | $48.07M |
🔹 NBA stars earn significantly more than WNBA players, highlighting the ongoing pay gap in professional basketball.
✔ NBA Revenue (2024): $10B+ vs. WNBA Revenue: $200M+
✔ Higher TV Deals & Sponsorships for the NBA
✔ Larger Fanbase & Ticket Sales
🏆 Draft Round | 💰 Base Salary |
---|---|
1st Round Picks | $76,535 |
2nd Round Picks | $70,000 |
3rd Round Picks | $64,154 |
📌 Top draft picks earn more but still fall short compared to NBA rookies.
✔ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) – New policies improving salaries.
✔ Revenue Sharing – Players receive higher earnings from league profits.
✔ Higher TV Deals – ESPN and Amazon Prime boosting WNBA exposure.
📌 By 2027, salaries could rise another 20-30%, creating a better financial future for WNBA athletes.
The WNBA salary range is steadily increasing, and with continued investment, how much WNBA players make will likely rise even further. With higher revenues, growing fan engagement, and sponsorship deals, top players are now earning more than ever.
✔ Average salary in 2025: ~$130,000
✔ Max salary: ~$240,000
✔ Rookies earn: $64,154+
✔ More endorsement & overseas opportunities boosting income
🔹 With continued investment, WNBA salaries will likely see a major increase by 2030.
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