New WNBA CBA Expected to Generate More Than $1 Billion in Player Salaries and Benefits

The WNBA and the WNBPA announced a tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement on Friday, creating what both sides view as a transformational labor agreement. Once ratified, the new agreement will begin in 2026 and run through 2032 with an opt-out in the seventh year.

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

“This Collective Bargaining Agreement represents a defining moment in the WNBA’s 30-year history and all of women’s professional sports,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Since its inception, the WNBA has been shaped by extraordinary athletes who believed in the league’s future. The agreement is a testament to that belief and to the tremendous progress we have achieved together.”

Player salaries will reach historic levels. Over the next seven years, the WNBA expects to hand out more than $1 billion in salaries and benefits. The salary cap rises to $7 million in 2026, with room to grow each year as the league and its teams generate more revenue.

Player Bonuses: https://t.co/VHZaeBzF8P pic.twitter.com/Zl1qVl9xXJ

— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) March 20, 2026

For the first time, WNBA stars will sign multi-million-dollar deals. The maximum contract amount starts at $1.4 million in 2026 and could top $2.4 million by 2032. Average salaries are set to climb too, from $583,000 in 2026 to more than $1 million by the end of the deal. Even the league’s minimum salaries are moving from $270,000 to $300,000 in 2026, up to $340,000 to $380,000 by 2032.

New CBA Details

The new rookie contract scale means top draft picks will see a big jump in pay. The No. 1 pick in 2026 will earn $500,000. Every rookie-scale contract gets a boost, so players at every stage see more money. There’s a fast track to max deals now, too—rookies who earn MVP or All-WNBA honors can jump straight to the top. And starting in 2027, veterans with seven or more years in the league can’t be tagged as Core Players anymore.

“We’ve always believed that as this league grows, the players who power it must grow with it, and we’re proud to see that belief shared,” said WNBPA President and 10-Time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike. “We love this game enough to push for what it can become, not just for ourselves, but for those who built this league and those who will carry it forward. This agreement reflects that shared commitment, with players owning their value and future alongside a league growing stronger because of it.”

Other benefits for players include higher standards for team facilities, more staff, charter flights for every trip, and first-class travel. Bonuses for award winners and playoff runs are getting a major bump. Retirees are included, too, with bigger 401(k) contributions, better benefits for players with families, and new recognition payments for veterans and retired players.

Roster sizes are not going to increase directly by having more than 12 standard contract players. However, the league is adding two developmental roster spots that do not count against the salary cap. There are new salary cap breaks for injured or pregnant players, and the player must consent to a trade.

The regular season will expand to as many as 52 games by 2029. However, the next increase in the schedule will raise the number of games from 44 to 50 in 2027, then to 52 from 2029 through 2032.