The WNBA's financial landscape has been completely transformed following the landmark collective bargaining agreement (CBA) reached this past offseason. With team salary caps soaring to $7 million and individual salaries now ranging from a minimum of $270,000 up to a staggering $1.4 million, we're witnessing the dawn of a new era for women's basketball—one where seven-figure contracts are no longer a dream, but a reality.
For the first time in league history, we have a three-way tie at the very top of the earnings chart. Leading the pack are three superstars who have been absolutely essential to their teams' success:
- A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces): The reigning four-time MVP and 2025 champion continues to build an unparalleled legacy.
- Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever): After a career-defining season in 2025, where she stepped up in Caitlin Clark's absence and earned her second All-Star nod, Mitchell has secured her place among the elite.
- Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx): A former Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-Star, Collier has finished second in MVP voting for two consecutive seasons, proving she's one of the league's most consistent forces.
All three are set to earn the maximum salary of $1.4 million for the 2026 season, a figure that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
But the wealth doesn't stop there. Thanks to the new CBA, a host of other superstars have also crossed the million-dollar threshold. Players like Brittney Griner and Breanna Stewart headline a deep list of elite talent now earning seven figures. According to Spotrac, the full list of the league's highest earners for 2026 reads like a who's who of WNBA royalty.
It's also worth noting that the new CBA didn't just boost single-season paychecks—it also paved the way for record-breaking multi-year deals. The title of "largest WNBA contract ever" now belongs to Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston. At just 24 years old, she signed a four-year, $6.3 million extension. While she'll earn $1 million in 2026, the long-term security of this deal underscores the league's explosive growth and the bright future ahead for its stars.