WNBA Stars Aliyah Boston and A'ja Wilson Sign Historic Contracts

New CBA leads to record-breaking deals for top players

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:55pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a WNBA basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and vibrant colors capturing the essence of the sport.The WNBA's new era of record-breaking player contracts is transforming the league's financial landscape and elevating its top stars.Phoenix Today

The WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement has ushered in a new era of player salaries, with stars like Aliyah Boston and A'ja Wilson signing unprecedented multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts to stay with their teams. Boston's four-year, $6.3 million deal with the Indiana Fever and Wilson's three-year, $5 million contract with the Las Vegas Aces represent the largest total values ever seen in the league.

Why it matters

The massive pay increases for top WNBA players signal a seismic shift in the league's financial landscape, with the new CBA allowing elite talents to be compensated at a level more commensurate with their skills and star power. This will help the WNBA attract and retain its best players, elevating the overall quality of play and profile of the league.

The details

Under the new CBA, the WNBA introduced an 'Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract' (EPIC) provision that allows players on rookie deals to reach max-level salaries earlier if they make an All-WNBA team or win MVP in their first three seasons. Aliyah Boston took advantage of this, signing a four-year, $6.3 million extension with the Indiana Fever. Meanwhile, reigning MVP A'ja Wilson inked a three-year, $5 million deal to stay with the Las Vegas Aces, representing the highest total value contract in WNBA history.

  • On April 15, 2026, A'ja Wilson signed a three-year, $5 million contract with the Las Vegas Aces.
  • On April 18, 2026, Aliyah Boston signed a four-year, $6.3 million extension with the Indiana Fever.

The players

A'ja Wilson

The reigning WNBA MVP and champion, who plays center for the Las Vegas Aces.

Aliyah Boston

The former South Carolina standout who was drafted by the Indiana Fever and is taking advantage of the new EPIC provision to sign a lucrative extension.

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What they’re saying

“The historic CBA for solidifying the largest pay increase in sports history at the 2026 WNBA Draft is now playing out in real time, with players getting paid at an unprecedented rate.”

— Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner

What’s next

The new salary era in the WNBA is expected to continue, with more top players signing multi-year, multi-million dollar deals in the coming free agency periods as the league's financial landscape is transformed.

The takeaway

The massive contracts signed by Aliyah Boston and A'ja Wilson represent a watershed moment for the WNBA, as the league's new CBA has enabled its biggest stars to be compensated at a level befitting their talent and status. This will help the WNBA attract and retain elite players, elevating the overall quality of play and profile of the league.