Aces Expected to Sign First $1 Million WNBA Player

Jackie Young set to become the league's highest-paid player, surpassing reigning MVP A'ja Wilson's supermax deal.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:33am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a WNBA basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a bold color palette, conveying the groundbreaking nature of the league's first $1 million player contract.The WNBA's new era of million-dollar player contracts shatters the glass ceiling for women's professional sports.Las Vegas Today

The Las Vegas Aces are finalizing a one-year, $1.19 million contract with four-time WNBA All-Star guard Jackie Young, which would make her the first player in league history to sign a $1 million deal. This comes after reports that reigning MVP A'ja Wilson is expected to re-sign with the Aces on a supermax $1.4 million contract.

Why it matters

The new WNBA collective bargaining agreement has significantly increased the league's salary cap and player salaries, allowing top stars like Young and Wilson to earn unprecedented paydays. This marks a major milestone for women's professional sports, as the WNBA becomes the first to feature a $1 million player contract.

The details

Jackie Young, the No. 1 overall pick by the Aces in 2019, is set to become the WNBA's first $1 million player with a one-year deal expected to be finalized. This surpasses the previous high of the supermax $1.4 million contract that reigning MVP A'ja Wilson is expected to sign to remain with the Aces. Young, Wilson, and Chelsea Gray formed the Aces' dominant 'Big 3' that has led the team to three WNBA championships in the past four seasons.

  • The WNBA's free agency negotiating period began on Wednesday, April 10, 2026 and runs through Thursday, April 11, 2026.
  • Teams can officially begin signing players on Saturday, April 13, 2026.

The players

Jackie Young

A four-time WNBA All-Star guard who has spent her entire career with the Las Vegas Aces since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2019.

A'ja Wilson

The reigning WNBA MVP who is expected to re-sign with the Las Vegas Aces on a supermax $1.4 million contract.

Chelsea Gray

A six-time WNBA All-Star guard who, along with Young and Wilson, formed the Aces' dominant 'Big 3' that has led the team to three championships in the past four seasons.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not leaving Vegas. I'm looking to defend a championship.”

— A'ja Wilson

What’s next

The Aces are expected to officially sign Jackie Young to her historic $1 million contract when the WNBA's free agency period opens on Saturday, April 13, 2026.

The takeaway

The WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement has ushered in a new era of unprecedented player salaries, with the league's top stars like Jackie Young and A'ja Wilson now able to command $1 million-plus contracts. This milestone represents a significant step forward for women's professional sports, as the WNBA becomes the first to feature a player earning a seven-figure annual salary.