What is the max salary in the WNBA?
By Ian Levy
WNBA free agency begins on Jan. 21 when players and teams can begin negotiating on new contracts. Those deals can become finalized starting on Feb. 1. Some of the league’s best and brightest players are on the market this year and several large contracts could be in play.
How much is a WNBA max contract?
The current WNBA CBA, which took effect in 2020 and will last through 2027 sets two levels of max contract salary for each season. The basic max salary for each season under the CBA is:
- 2023: $202,154
- 2024: $208,219
- 2025: $214,466
- 2026: $220,900
- 2027: $227,577
The higher tier, the supermax, is as follows:
- 2023: $234,936
- 2024: $241,984
- 2025: $249,244
- 2026: $256,721
- 2027: $264,423
How does a player qualify for a WNBA max contact?
Any player is eligible for a max contract. A supermax contract is only open for players who are signing an extension of their rookie-scale contract (helping incentivize young stars to stay with the team that drafted them) or to be a veteran with five or more years of experience and re-sign with the same team (helping teams retain their stars).
Which WNBA players are already on a supermax contract?
Just four players — Kahleah Copper, Arike Ogunbowale and Jewell Loyd — were on a supermax contract for the 2024 season. Diana Taurasi, Natasha Howard, Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones, Kelsey Mitchell, Napheesa Collier and Skylar-Diggins Smith were all playing on max contracts.
Which WNBA players could sign a max contract this offseason?
Several big WNBA stars will be free agents this summer and could be in line for max contracts, including Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Mitchell, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Nneka Ogwumike, Satou Sabally and more. Every player in that group is a veteran with at least five years of experience and would thus be eligible for a supermax extension.
Who is the highest-paid WNBA player right now?
It remains to be seen what current free agents will sign for, but as of right now Bonner, Delle Donne and Diggins-Smith will be the highest-paid players for next season.
PLAYER | TEAM | 2024 SALARY |
|---|---|---|
Arike Ogunbowale | Dallas Wings | $241,984 |
Jewell Loyd | Seattle Storm | $241,984 |
Kahleah Copper | Phoenix Mercury | $241,984 |
Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury | $234,936 |
Natasha Howard | Dallas Wings | $234,350 |
Alyssa Thomas | Connecticut Sun | $218,000 |
Brionna Jones | Connecticut Sun | $212,000 |
Kelsey Mitchell | Indiana Fever | $212,000 |
Napheesa Collier | Minnesota Lynx | $208,219 |
Skylar Diggins-Smith | Seattle Storm | $208,219 |
Who will be the highest-paid WNBA in the 2025 season?
As of right now, Ogunbowale and Loyd would be the highest-paid players for the 2025 WNBA season, each making $249,032. However, any player who signs a supermax contract this offseason would leap them ever so slightly with a salary of $249,244. So while Ogunbowale and Loyd will stay near the top, it's very likely that at least two or three players move ahead of them before the start of next season.
The date for the opening of 2025 WNBA Free Agency hasn't been set yet but last year it began on Jan. 21 and will likely start at a similar date in 2025.
feed