For the first time in league history, WNBA players signed contracts worth over a million dollars this year.
In March, the WNBA and its players struck a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. The deal was hailed as transformational for addressing everything from housing to player salaries while raising the standards of the league.
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The salary cap jumped from $1.5 million in 2025 to $7 million in 2026. Salary minimums also increased from roughly $67,000 to $300,000. Average player salary went from $105,000 to about $600,000.
Additionally, for the first time, the WNBA now has players earning more than $1 million per year. The new annual supermax of $1.4 million is being earned by three players this season: A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever.
Here are all the WNBA players making $1M+ this season:
More: WNBA power rankings: Who are the league’s best 3-point shooters in 2026?
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) receives a pass from center-forward Aliyah Boston (7) with Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) defending in the fourth quarter at Target Center on Aug. 2, 2026.
(Matt Blewett, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) receives a pass from center-forward Aliyah Boston (7) with Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) defending in the fourth quarter at Target Center on Aug. 2, 2026.
(Matt Blewett, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Portland Fire forward Nyadiew Puoch (13) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Sparks guard Rae Burrell (12) and forward Dearica Hamby (5) during the first half at Moda Center on Aug. 2, 2026.
(Jaime Valdez, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Chicago Sky guard Sydney Taylor (12) celebrates with guard Natasha Cloud (9) after scoring a game winning three-pointer against the Las Vegas Aces during the second half of a WNBA game at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 1, 2026.
(Kamil Krzaczynski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) celebrates against the New York Liberty in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on Aug. 1, 2026.
(Mark J. Rebilas, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones (35) drives to basket against Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on Aug. 1, 2026.
(Mark J. Rebilas, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) against the New York Liberty in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on Aug. 1, 2026.
(Mark J. Rebilas, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Portland Fire guard Carla Leite (0) vies for a loose ball on the floor against Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) during the first half at Moda Center on July 31, 2026.
(Jaime Valdez, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) blocks a shot by Chicago Sky guard Sydney Taylor (12) during the second half at the American Airlines Center on July 12, 2026.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud (9) and Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) battle for the loose ball during the second half at the American Airlines Center July 12, 2026.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) celebrates after scoring against the Las Vegas Aces during the third quarter of a WNBA basketball game at Michelob Ultra Arena on July 12, 2026
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Portland Fire forward Emily Engstler (21) reaches for a rebound past Atlanta Dream guard Isobel Borlase (20) in the third quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park on July 11, 2026.
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Atlanta Dream guard Isobel Borlase (20) shoots past Portland Fire guard Karlie Samuelson (44) in the second quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park on July 11, 2026.
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones (35) tries to go to the basket between Minnesota Lynx forward Natasha Howard (1) and forward Nia Coffey (12) in the first quarter at Target Center on July 11, 2026.
(Bruce Kluckhohn, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Seattle Storm guard Jade Melbourne (5) and Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reach for a loose ball in the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park on July 9, 2026.
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) reacts after being fouled against the Toronto Tempo in the first half at Coca-Cola Coliseum on July 8, 2026.
(Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) and Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) fight for the ball during the second half at Gateway Center Arena at College Park on July 4, 2026.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Seattle Storm guard Jade Melbourne (5) is fouled by Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on July 2, 2026.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard (32) steals the ball from Seattle Storm guard Zia Cooke (7) during overtime at Climate Pledge Arena on June 22, 2026.
(Joe Nicholson, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Seattle Storm center Awa Fam (11), Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard (32) and guard Paige Bueckers (5) reach for a rebound during the third quarter at Climate Pledge Arena on June 22, 2026.
(Joe Nicholson, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) celebrates with guard Olivia Miles (5) after a play against the Golden State Valkyries during the fourth quarter at Chase Center on Jun 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
(Kelley L Cox, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) reacts after scoring against the Portland Fire during the second half at Moda Center on June 11, 2026 on Portland, Oregon.
(Jaime Valdez, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) shoots against Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 18, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky guard Skylar Diggins (4) during the first half at Wintrust Arena on June 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Kamil Krzaczynski, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Toronto Tempo guard Brittney Sykes (20) shoots the ball while Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) stands up Tuesday, June 16, 2026, during the second half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Toronto Tempo, 113-91.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar, Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball while Chicago Sky guard Skylar Diggins (4) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 11, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) sports her signature Nike Caitlin 1 shoe while warming up Thursday, June 18, 2026, during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar, Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Chicago Sky guard Skylar Diggins (4) reacts after scoring against the Connecticut Sun during the second half at Wintrust Arena on June 5, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Kamil Krzaczynski, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Los Angeles Sparks guard Chance Gray (2) is fouled by Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) as she drives to the basket during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on June 2, 2026.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) reacts to hitting a 3-pointer against the Las Vegas Aces in the second quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena on May 23, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Candice Ward, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) passes around Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) on Saturday, May 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky, 93-58.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar, Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) reacts after her three point basket against the Connecticut Sun in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 13, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) battles for a loose ball against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on May 12, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) pose for a photo after a game at State Farm Arena on May 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) blocks the shot on Chicago Sky guard Skylar Diggins (4) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on May 15, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Rick Scuteri, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey (3) celebrates after scoring against the Chicago Sky during the first half at Wintrust Arena on May 27, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Kamil Krzaczynski, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Connecticut Sun forward Diamond Miller (1) defends against the Los Angeles Sparks in the second half at PeoplesBank Arena in May 30, 2026 in Hartford, Connecticut.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Connecticut Sun center Brittney Griner (42) looks for a reboudn with Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) and guard Rhyne Howard (10) in the fourth quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park on June 2, 2026 in College Park, Georgia.
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Los Angeles Sparks guard Chance Gray (2) is fouled by Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) as she drives to the basket during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on June 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
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2026 WNBA season is underway. See photos from the league’s 30th year
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever center-forward Aliyah Boston (7) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 4, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)
WNBA’s highest-paid players
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A’ja Wilson | $1,400,000 (Las Vegas Aces)
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Napheesa Collier | $1,400,000 (Minnesota Lynx)
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Kelsey Mitchell | $1,400,000 (Indiana Fever)
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How many WNBA players make $1 million? Full list for 2026
