Wings Star Paige Bueckers to Receive Massive Pay Raise Thanks to New WNBA CBA

The new CBA will significantly increase rookie salaries, setting up Bueckers for a future max contract.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:51pm

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The WNBA and its Players' Union have reached a new CBA agreement that will significantly increase salaries across the league, including for rookie players like Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers. Bueckers, who made the All-WNBA Second Team in her rookie season, is now eligible for a max contract worth around $1.3 million, a huge raise from her previous rookie salary of $80,408.

Why it matters

The new CBA represents a major victory for WNBA players, who have long advocated for better pay and working conditions. The salary increases, including the new 'Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract' (EPIC) provision, will help retain top talent like Bueckers and make the WNBA a more viable long-term career option.

The details

The new WNBA CBA increases the salary cap to $7 million, with supermax salaries up to $1.4 million and minimum salaries up to $300,000. Rookie salaries will also see a significant boost, with Caitlin Clark's salary jumping to $530,000. Under the new EPIC provision, if a player makes an All-WNBA First or Second Team on their rookie contract, they become eligible for a max contract in the final year of that deal. Bueckers, who made the All-WNBA Second Team in her rookie season, is now in line for a $1.3 million contract.

  • The WNBA and WNBPA reached a tentative deal on the new CBA on March 20, 2026.
  • Bueckers' rookie salary was set to be $80,408 for the 2026 season.

The players

Paige Bueckers

A rookie guard for the Dallas Wings who made the All-WNBA Second Team in her first season, averaging 19.2 PPG, 5.4 APG, and 3.9 RPG.

A'ja Wilson

A dominant WNBA player who has won 3 of the last 4 MVP awards, posing a challenge for Bueckers to win the MVP title in the near future.

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What’s next

If Bueckers continues to perform at an elite level, she could be eligible for a supermax contract worth over $1.8 million if she wins MVP in the next few seasons.

The takeaway

The new WNBA CBA represents a major step forward for player compensation, especially for young stars like Paige Bueckers who are now set up for massive future pay increases if they continue to excel. This deal should help the league retain top talent and make the WNBA a more viable long-term career option for the best women's basketball players.