Many folks wonder about the money professional athletes make, and that includes the WNBA. It's a question a lot of people ask, like, "Who really brings in the most cash in women's basketball?" This is a very common thought, especially as the league keeps getting more popular. Knowing about player salaries helps us see how the game grows and what it means for the athletes who play it. It also lets us appreciate the hard work and skill these players show on the court every single day. So, figuring out who earns the most is a way to look at the league's financial side and how much value is placed on its top stars.
The WNBA, too it's almost, has grown quite a bit over the years. We see more fans watching, more games on television, and just more talk about the league generally. With this growth, there's naturally a bigger interest in what players earn. People want to know about the financial side of things, how contracts are put together, and what the big names in the league are actually taking home.
Our updated listings, which cover top salaries, cap hits, cash earnings, contracts, and bonuses for all active WNBA players, give us a good look at this very topic. We can really get into the details of who gets paid what and why. This information helps paint a clearer picture of the league's financial landscape for its athletes, and it is something many fans are curious about.
Table of Contents
- Who is the Highest Paid WNBA Player?
- How WNBA Player Salaries Work
- Beyond the Base Salary: Other Ways Players Earn
- The Growth of WNBA Earnings
- Why WNBA Salaries Matter
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Highest Paid WNBA Player?
When you ask about the highest paid WNBA player, it's not always just one person. Many times, several players share the top spot because of how the league's salary rules are set up. The WNBA has what we call a "supermax" contract, which is the biggest deal a player can sign. This means a few very talented players can earn the absolute most money allowed under the current rules. So, it's not a single individual who stands alone at the very top of the pay scale, but rather a group of elite players.
Our recent data, which lists top salaries and contracts for all active WNBA players, shows that the highest base salaries are generally tied to these supermax deals. These contracts are for players who have been in the league for a certain amount of time and have achieved a lot. They are, in a way, rewarded for their continued excellence and dedication to the game. For the 2024 and even looking ahead to 2025 seasons, we see a few familiar names consistently at this top tier.
Meet Breanna Stewart: A Top Earner
Breanna Stewart is often right there among the highest paid players in the WNBA. She's a very skilled player, known for her ability to score, rebound, and play defense. Her talent makes her a key player for any team she is on. She has won many awards and championships, which really helps her case for getting a top-tier contract. Her contributions on the court are huge, and her pay reflects that.
Her contract details, as seen in our listings of top salaries and contracts, put her right at the maximum allowed for a player of her experience and accomplishments. This means she gets one of the largest base salaries in the league. She's a good example of a player who consistently performs at an elite level, earning the highest possible wages in the WNBA. You know, she's a pretty big deal in the league.
Breanna Stewart: Personal Details & Career Highlights
| Full Name | Breanna Mackenzie Stewart |
| Born | August 27, 1994 |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Position | Forward |
| College | UConn |
| WNBA Draft | 2016 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 |
| Teams | Seattle Storm, New York Liberty |
| Key Achievements | WNBA Champion, WNBA MVP, WNBA Finals MVP, Olympic Gold Medalist |
Other Top Earners in the WNBA
While Breanna Stewart is certainly a top earner, she is not alone at the pinnacle of WNBA salaries. Other players, like Jewell Loyd, Diana Taurasi, Arike Ogunbowale, Elena Delle Donne, and Kahleah Copper, also command maximum contracts. These players, you know, have all shown amazing skill and have been very important to their teams for a long time. They are, in a way, the faces of the league and have earned their top pay through consistent, high-level play.
Our data, which covers the listing of top salaries, cap hits, and contracts for all active WNBA players, shows that these athletes consistently sign deals at the highest possible value. They are often veterans who have met specific criteria set by the league's collective bargaining agreement, allowing them to qualify for these supermax deals. It's a testament to their lasting impact on the game and their teams. Basically, they are some of the best players around.
How WNBA Player Salaries Work
Understanding WNBA player salaries goes beyond just seeing a number. There are rules and structures that shape how much a player can earn. It's not just about how good a player is; it's also about how the league is set up financially. This system, which includes salary caps and different types of contracts, tries to keep teams competitive while also rewarding player talent. It's a pretty complex system, actually.
The league has a collective bargaining agreement, which is a deal between the players' union and the WNBA. This agreement sets the rules for everything from minimum salaries to maximum contracts. It also covers things like benefits and working conditions. This agreement is updated every few years, and each new deal can change how much players earn. So, the money players get is always connected to this big agreement.
Understanding the Salary Cap
Every WNBA team has a salary cap, which is a limit on how much money they can spend on player salaries each season. This cap is put in place to help make sure all teams have a fair chance to compete. Without a cap, richer teams might just buy all the best players, making the league less interesting. Our data, which includes the Chicago Sky 2025 salary cap table, gives a good look at how these team totals and cap space figures work. It's a pretty important part of the league's financial health.
The salary cap changes over time, usually going up as the league makes more money. This means that, over the years, teams can spend more on players, and player salaries can also go up. It's a system designed to grow with the league itself. So, when you see a player's salary, it's always within the context of what their team can afford under the cap rules.
Maximum Contracts Explained
The maximum contract, sometimes called the supermax, is the most a single player can earn in their base salary for a season. This amount is set by the collective bargaining agreement and is tied to the overall salary cap. It's not just any player who can get a max deal; there are specific requirements. Players usually need to have been in the league for a certain number of years, perhaps seven or more, and have achieved certain things, like winning an MVP award or being named to an All-WNBA team. This ensures that only the most accomplished players get these top-tier deals. It's a way to really recognize the very best talent.
For example, our listings of top salaries and contracts for active WNBA players show that these maximum deals are often around the $240,000 to $250,000 range for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, depending on the specific rules and years of service. This figure represents the highest annual base pay a WNBA player can receive. It's a pretty big number for a base salary in the league, you know.
Rookie Contracts and Extensions
New players coming into the WNBA, the rookies, start on a specific pay scale. Their salaries are set based on where they are picked in the draft. The first few picks usually get a bit more than later picks. These rookie contracts are for a set number of years, usually three or four, with an option for the team to extend it. This gives teams control over young talent and allows players to develop. It's a very standard way for new players to enter the league.
After their initial rookie contract, players can sign extensions or new deals. If a player performs well, they can earn a much bigger contract, potentially even a maximum deal, when their rookie contract ends. This system allows players to earn more as they prove their worth in the league. It's a very common path for players to increase their earnings over their careers.
Beyond the Base Salary: Other Ways Players Earn
While the base salary from their team is a big part of a WNBA player's income, it's certainly not the only way they make money. Many players earn a lot more through other avenues. These additional income streams are very important for a player's overall financial picture. They help make up a significant portion of what a player brings in each year. So, it's not just about the team contract, you know.
These other earnings can sometimes even be larger than a player's WNBA salary, especially for the league's biggest stars. This is a very important point to remember when we talk about who is the highest paid WNBA player. The official team salary is just one piece of the puzzle. It's a bit like an iceberg, where a lot of the money is below the surface.
Endorsement Deals
One of the biggest ways WNBA players make money outside their team salary is through endorsement deals. These are agreements with companies that pay players to promote their products or services. Think of athletes appearing in commercials, wearing specific brands, or posting about products on social media. For players like Breanna Stewart or Diana Taurasi, these deals can be worth a lot of money. They partner with big names in sports gear, food, drinks, and technology. It's a very common way for famous athletes to add to their income.
The more popular a player is, and the better they perform, the more attractive they are to companies looking for someone to represent their brand. These endorsement earnings are not part of the WNBA's salary cap, so there's no limit to how much a player can make from them. This means a player's total earnings, including endorsements, can be much higher than just their league salary. So, a player's real income is often much bigger than just what their team pays them.
Marketing Agreements and Bonuses
The WNBA itself has programs designed to help players earn more money, especially through marketing. The league has a "marketing agreement" fund, which is money set aside to pay players for participating in promotional activities for the league. This could involve appearances, interviews, or content creation that helps grow the WNBA's brand. It's a way for the league to share some of its revenue directly with players for their role in promoting the game. This is a very helpful addition to their income.
Players also earn bonuses for certain achievements. This includes things like winning championships, being named MVP, or making an All-Star team. These bonuses are extra payments on top of their base salary and can add a significant amount to their overall earnings for a season. Our listings, which cover bonuses for all active WNBA players, show how these can really add up. So, there are many ways players can earn more money beyond their regular paychecks.
Overseas Play
For many years, and even still today, a lot of WNBA players go overseas to play basketball during the WNBA offseason. Leagues in Europe, Asia, and Australia often pay very good salaries, sometimes even more than what players earn in the WNBA. This is a very important source of income for many players, especially those who are not on maximum WNBA contracts. It allows them to earn money year-round and improve their skills. It's a pretty common practice for players to do this.
The decision to play overseas involves a lot of factors, including the pay, the level of competition, and the travel demands. However, for many, the financial benefits are a big draw. This extra income from playing abroad can significantly boost a player's total annual earnings, making their overall compensation much higher than their WNBA salary alone. So, for many players, this is a vital part of their income strategy.
The Growth of WNBA Earnings
The WNBA has made big strides in increasing player pay over its history. What players earned in the early days of the league is very different from what top players earn now. This growth is a result of many things: more fans, better TV deals, and, most importantly, the players and their union fighting for better pay. It's a story of progress and continued effort. The league has, you know, come a long way.
The discussions around pay equity in sports, especially for women athletes, have also played a role. There's a lot more awareness now about the need for women athletes to be paid fairly for their talent and hard work. This broader conversation has helped push for higher salaries in the WNBA. It's a very important part of the league's development.
Past, Present, and Future of Player Pay
In the past, WNBA salaries were much lower, even for the top players. Many players had to rely heavily on playing overseas just to make a good living. The league was still growing, and the revenue simply wasn't as high. Today, the base salaries are much better, especially for the top tier of players who can earn over $200,000. This is a very significant improvement. Our listings of top salaries for all active WNBA players show this clear progression over time.
Looking to the future, there's hope for even more growth in player pay. As the league continues to gain popularity, attract more sponsors, and secure bigger media deals, the revenue will increase. This, in turn, should lead to higher salary caps and bigger contracts for players. The trend is definitely upwards, which is great news for the athletes and the league. So, things are looking pretty good for player earnings.
The Impact of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a very important document for WNBA player salaries. The most recent CBA, which was agreed upon in 2020, brought about some significant changes that directly led to higher pay for players. This agreement increased the maximum salaries, raised the minimum salaries, and also introduced new benefits for players, like maternity leave and better travel conditions. It's a pretty big deal for the players.
This agreement was a result of a lot of hard work and negotiation between the WNBA players' association and the league
