WNBA Proposes Supermax Salaries, Impacting Player Earnings

New CBA could favor stars while diminishing middle-class player salaries

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:08am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented WNBA basketball game, with players' figures broken down into abstract shapes and the ball and court lines creating a dynamic, fractured composition.The WNBA's proposed economic changes could create a stark divide between the league's stars and its middle class, challenging the balance of power on the court.Atlanta Today

The WNBA is considering a groundbreaking economic shift that would introduce a supermax base salary of $1.13 million, representing 20% of the proposed $5.65 million salary cap. While this move could make history by creating the league's first million-dollar player, it also raises concerns about the potential impact on the earnings of other players, potentially favoring stars while diminishing the middle class.

Why it matters

The proposed changes to the WNBA's economic system could significantly alter the financial landscape of the league, with implications for both star players and the league's middle class. This shift could impact roster dynamics, force players to make greater sacrifices, and challenge General Managers in building competitive teams.

The details

The players' union has proposed a salary cap of just under $9.5 million, aiming for a 25% share of the league's revenue. The league's proposal includes two tiers of max salaries, with the supermax accounting for 20% of the salary cap and the standard max at 17.5%. Unlike the current CBA, players would not be eligible for the supermax through sign-and-trade deals. The proposed CBA also affects rookie scale contracts and minimum salaries, with Aliyah Boston's 2026 salary potentially reaching 9.6% of the cap, up from 5.6% under the previous CBA.

  • The WNBA's current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is set to expire in 2025.
  • The league and players' union are currently negotiating the terms of a new CBA, which could be implemented as early as the 2026 season.

The players

A'ja Wilson

A four-time WNBA MVP who has often given her team discounts to allocate funds elsewhere on the roster.

Jewell Loyd

A player who has been the highest-paid player on her team, despite stars like A'ja Wilson earning less than the supermax.

Aliyah Boston

The Indiana Fever's top pick in 2023, who would earn approximately $541,000 in 2026 under the proposed CBA, which is about 9.6% of the salary cap.

Kelsey Mitchell

A player who could potentially be paid the supermax by the Indiana Fever, leaving approximately $3.4 million for the remaining roster spots.

Diana Taurasi

A three-time WNBA champion who became one of the highest earners in women's sports due to her overseas contracts and endorsements.

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What they’re saying

“Three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker, despite never reaching a $200,000 base salary in the WNBA, became one of the highest earners in women's sports due to her overseas contracts and endorsements.”

— Candace Parker, Three-time WNBA champion

“If the Fever pays Kelsey Mitchell the supermax and allocates funds for rookie-scale salaries, they would have approximately $3.4 million left for the remaining roster spots, resulting in a salary of around $382,200 per player, or 6.7% of the cap. This is significantly less than the proposed average salary.”

— Unnamed source

What’s next

The players' union and the WNBA will continue to negotiate the terms of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, with the goal of reaching an agreement before the 2026 season. The outcome of these negotiations will shape the future financial landscape of the league and the distribution of wealth among its players.

The takeaway

The WNBA's proposed economic changes highlight the delicate balance between rewarding the league's stars and ensuring a fair distribution of wealth among all players. As the league and players' union work to find a sustainable and equitable solution, the impact on roster dynamics, player sacrifices, and team-building strategies will be closely watched by fans and industry observers alike.