Aces Owner Praises WNBA's New CBA as Sponsorships End

The league's new collective bargaining agreement brings major salary increases and facility upgrades.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:21am

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented geometric shapes in shades of blue, magenta, and gold, representing the dynamic action and energy of a WNBA basketball game.The WNBA's new CBA promises to elevate the league's players and facilities, creating a more professional and equitable environment for the sport.Las Vegas Today

Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis is excited about the WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement, which includes a significant increase in player salaries and mandates for team facilities. While the Aces won't receive $100,000 sponsorships from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority next season, Davis believes the new CBA makes those unnecessary. He has been a vocal advocate for WNBA players to be treated as valued professionals, and the new agreement represents a major step forward in that regard.

Why it matters

The WNBA's new CBA is a landmark achievement that will dramatically improve the working conditions and compensation for professional women's basketball players. As a team owner, Mark Davis has been at the forefront of pushing for these changes, which could help attract more talent and fans to the league. The end of the Aces' lucrative sponsorship deal also highlights the league's progress in becoming more self-sufficient.

The details

The new WNBA CBA includes a $7 million salary cap in 2026 (up from $1.5 million in 2025 and expected to reach $11 million by 2032), the first-ever million-dollar super max ($1.4 million in 2026, up from $249,000), and meaningful revenue sharing (players to receive 20% of gross revenue). By 2028, each team will be required to have dedicated facilities including a locker room, private court, weight room, treatment room, and dining area. Davis has already ensured the Aces have these amenities, including the league's first practice facility solely for a WNBA team.

  • The new CBA was ratified by players and the WNBA's board of governors last month, but still needs to be finalized with an official long-form agreement.
  • The Aces will no longer receive $100,000 sponsorships from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority starting in the 2026 season.

The players

Mark Davis

Owner of the Las Vegas Aces and the Las Vegas Raiders, who has been a vocal advocate for WNBA players to be treated as valued professionals.

Becky Hammon

Head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, who became the WNBA's first million-dollar coach under Davis' ownership.

Steve Hill

President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which provided $100,000 sponsorships to each Aces player in 2024 and 2025.

Clara Wu Tsai

Owner of the New York Liberty, who represented the league in the in-person CBA negotiations in New York.

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What they’re saying

“If the women are happy, I'm happy, because that's what I've always wanted; is for them to be compensated fairly.”

— Mark Davis, Owner, Las Vegas Aces

“I think that was an important step in creating a truly professional league.”

— Mark Davis, Owner, Las Vegas Aces

“Where we got the big bang of value was at the announcement. The players did great, certainly followed through on that commitment to put a spotlight on Las Vegas.”

— Steve Hill, President and CEO, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

What’s next

The new WNBA CBA still needs to be finalized with the signing of an official long-form agreement, which is expected within the next week.

The takeaway

The WNBA's new CBA represents a major milestone in the league's progress, providing players with significantly improved compensation and working conditions. As a team owner committed to elevating the WNBA, Mark Davis has played a key role in driving these changes, which could help attract more talent and fans to the league in the years ahead.