The 2024 WNBA season has brought more attention than ever to the league’s stars, especially regarding player compensation. While the WNBA is growing in popularity and visibility, the gap between player salaries in the WNBA and those of their NBA counterparts remains glaring. Conversations around pay disparity have become louder, fueled by the possibility of significant changes, thanks to the impending collective bargaining agreement (CBA) opt-out.
In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at the WNBA’s top earners, how they compare to NBA salaries, the potential impact of the CBA opt-out, and the WNBA’s overall financial landscape in 2024.
The Salary Landscape of WNBA’s Top Earners
Despite the league’s rising popularity, the salary cap for the WNBA remains modest, especially when compared to the NBA. The WNBA’s team salary cap for the 2024 season stands at $1.42 million per team, and the maximum salary a player can earn is $252,450, which is a fraction of what top NBA players make. As expected, the highest-paid players are the stars of the league, many of whom also earn additional income through endorsement deals and promotional agreements.
Here’s a closer look at the WNBA’s top earners for 2024:
| Player | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Jackie Young | Las Vegas Aces | $252,450 |
| Jewell Loyd | Seattle Storm | $245,508 |
| Kahleah Cooper | Phoenix Mercury | $245,059 |
| Arike Ogunbowale | Dallas Wings | $241,984 |
| Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury | $234,936 |
While these salaries reflect the top earners in the WNBA, many of the league’s most recognizable players, including Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu, fall outside this list. However, they make up the difference with substantial endorsement deals, sponsorships, and Player Marketing Agreements (PMA) that allow them to earn additional income.
The CBA Opt-Out: Will It Lead to Higher Salaries?
The potential opt-out of the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a pivotal moment for WNBA players. The current CBA, signed in 2020, runs through 2027, but the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) has the option to opt out of the deal this November, ahead of the 2025 season. This move could set the stage for substantial negotiations that focus on increasing salaries, benefits, and financial security for WNBA players.
As of now, WNBA players receive 50% of incremental revenue, which includes money earned from areas like broadcast rights, ticket sales, and merchandise. However, NBA players receive 50% of total revenue, which is a more expansive figure that includes sponsorship deals and other income streams. For WNBA players, the opt-out presents an opportunity to push for a similar revenue-sharing model and demand better pay and benefits.
Key Issues on the Table for CBA Negotiations:
- Higher Base Salaries: Players are advocating for an increase in minimum salaries, especially for rookies who currently earn well below their star counterparts.
- Larger Performance-Based Bonuses: The WNBPA aims to improve performance-based bonuses, ensuring that players are adequately rewarded for individual and team accomplishments.
- Improved Long-Term Benefits: Players are pushing for more robust long-term financial benefits, including health care, retirement plans, and job security.
The WNBA has seen remarkable growth, and players believe that their compensation should reflect the league’s increased revenue and visibility.
Unrivaled League: Paving the Way for New Opportunities in the WNBA
The rise of Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 basketball league offering players higher salaries, equity, and revenue-sharing opportunities, is creating ripple effects across the women’s basketball landscape. This league is providing a unique platform for players to capitalize on their talent in ways the WNBA has yet to offer, setting a precedent that could shape the future of professional women’s basketball.
For the WNBA, Unrivaled’s approach introduces the potential for new revenue streams and compensation models. By allowing players to share in revenue or equity, Unrivaled is showing what’s possible for women’s sports leagues that want to attract and retain top talent. If successful, the Unrivaled League may inspire the WNBA to consider similar incentives, such as increased salaries or equity-based deals, to keep star players and continue building the league’s global profile.
Furthermore, Unrivaled’s prime-time media coverage deal with networks like TNT could influence future WNBA broadcasting and sponsorship agreements. With increased media visibility and player-driven league structures, Unrivaled presents an opportunity for the WNBA to innovate and explore expanded player contracts, more flexible partnerships, and broader international appeal. The rise of Unrivaled suggests a promising path for the WNBA, offering a glimpse into a future where professional women’s basketball leagues can thrive on a larger scale and reward players in groundbreaking ways.
Media Rights Deals: The Future of WNBA Salaries
One of the major factors influencing future salary negotiations will be the media rights deals for the WNBA. The league’s current agreements with ESPN, CBS, and Ion expire in 2025, and they are expected to renegotiate for significantly higher payouts. As more people tune in to watch rising stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink, networks are recognizing the growing value of women’s basketball.
These new media rights deals are crucial because they will likely increase the league’s revenue, which could result in higher salaries for players. For the WNBA to continue its growth trajectory, securing lucrative media deals will be a key element in ensuring financial success for both the league and its players.
A Closer Look at WNBA’s Marketing Initiatives
While the WNBA’s top earners receive higher salaries, many players rely on marketing agreements and endorsements to boost their income. One of the key initiatives designed to help players is the Player Marketing Agreement (PMA), which allows them to earn up to $250,000 by promoting the league and building their brands.
In addition to the PMA, the league also has Team Marketing Agreements (TMA), which enable teams to allocate up to $100,000 per year to help promote players who meet certain performance benchmarks, such as being selected for the All-Star Game or winning individual awards. These initiatives are designed to reward players for both their on-court and off-court contributions to the league.
Endorsements: A Critical Source of Income for Top Players
In addition to salaries and league-specific marketing programs, many of the WNBA’s top stars earn significant money through endorsements. For players like Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and A’ja Wilson, endorsement deals with major brands supplement their on-court earnings. These deals allow players to expand their visibility and provide financial stability that their WNBA salaries alone may not afford.
With major corporations investing more in women’s sports, endorsement opportunities have grown for WNBA players. As these partnerships continue to develop, more players can look forward to lucrative sponsorships that elevate both their brands and their earnings.
Salary Disparity: WNBA vs. NBA
The salary disparity between WNBA and NBA players is substantial, and it’s a key issue driving the current conversation around pay equity in sports. To put things in perspective, Jackie Young, the WNBA’s highest-paid player in 2024, earns $252,450, while NBA players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry take home over $50 million annually. That’s a staggering 200 times more than the top WNBA salary.
The NBA’s revenue dwarfs that of the WNBA, with the NBA generating $1.5 billion in sponsorship revenue alone in 2024. However, WNBA players argue that as their league grows and their fanbase expands, their compensation should increase accordingly.
NBA vs. WNBA Salaries Table:
| League | Top Salary (2024) | Average Salary | Total Team Salary Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA | $50 million+ (LeBron James, Stephen Curry) | $10 million+ | $136 million |
| WNBA | $252,450 (Jackie Young) | $120,648 | $1.42 million |
While the gap between WNBA and NBA salaries may never fully close, WNBA players are advocating for increased compensation to reflect the growing popularity and revenue of their league.
Recent News: The Path Ahead
The coming months are set to shape the future of the WNBA, as the league faces several critical milestones. One of the most anticipated is the potential November 2024 opt-out decision from the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This decision will provide the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) with a unique opportunity to negotiate better salaries, bonuses, and benefits for the league’s players, a key moment in addressing the financial disparities that have long plagued women’s sports.
Rising Viewership and Rookie Class
A significant factor in the upcoming CBA negotiations is the sharp rise in WNBA viewership during the 2024 season. Thanks in large part to a highly talented rookie class, featuring standout names like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink, the league has attracted more fans and media attention than ever before. The popularity of these players has contributed to a rise in both broadcast ratings and social media buzz, putting additional pressure on the league to ensure that players are compensated in line with the league’s growing profile.
Media Rights Deals: The Key to Increased Salaries
Another major factor influencing the WNBPA’s push for higher compensation is the impending expiration of media rights deals with ESPN, CBS, and Ion in 2025. Industry insiders believe that the next round of media contracts could be much more lucrative, given the league’s rising popularity. Securing a favorable deal could significantly boost revenue, allowing for salary increases and potentially narrowing the financial gap between the WNBA and the NBA.
Equal Pay Across Sports
The equal pay movement across professional sports has also bolstered WNBA players’ efforts. Following the success of the U.S. Women’s Soccer team in securing equal pay, WNBA players are advocating for similar advancements. This broader momentum in women’s sports adds pressure on WNBA team owners to find ways to compensate their players fairly, particularly those who could easily opt to play overseas for more competitive salaries.
Conclusion: WNBA’s Top Earners and the Future of Player Compensation
The upcoming CBA opt-out decision represents a turning point for the WNBA’s top earners like Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd, and Kahleah Cooper, as they lead the charge for better financial conditions. The future of the league’s player compensation will be shaped by a combination of new media deals, endorsement opportunities, and the CBA negotiations. If these efforts are successful, the WNBA could be on the verge of a financial breakthrough, ultimately benefiting both the league’s top stars and its rising talents.
The next few years are critical for the WNBA as it continues to build on the momentum generated by its rising popularity. With the right moves, the WNBA’s top earners—and the league as a whole—could see a transformative shift in compensation and benefits, setting the stage for a brighter financial future.
