Quick answer: Under the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that took effect for the 2026 season, WNBA minimum salaries range from $270,000 to $300,000 depending on years of service; the top salary is $1.4 million, the league’s projected average salary is $583,000; and the No. 1 overall pick in 2026 was projected to earn $500,000. The salary cap rose to $7.0 million from $1.5 million in 2025.
The official numbers
The WNBA and its players’ union announced the deal on March 20, 2026. According to the league’s official announcement, the new seven-year agreement runs through the 2032 season and sets the 2026 cap at $7.0 million, up from $1.5 million in 2025. CBS Sports reported that the union approved the deal unanimously with more than 90% participation, the league’s Board of Governors ratified it, and the agreement has an opt-out after the sixth year (2031).
| 2025 | 2026 | Projected 2032 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary cap | $1.5 million | $7.0 million | More than $11 million (per CBS) |
| Minimum salary | $66,079 | $270,000 to $300,000 | $340,000 to $380,000 |
| Average salary | $120,000 | $583,000 (expected) | More than $1 million |
| Maximum salary | $249,244 | $1.4 million | More than $2.4 million |
Sources: the league’s announcement for 2026 and 2032 figures; the CBS Sports table for 2025 figures. Note that the CBS table labels its final row “2026” by mistake; the figures in that row match the league’s 2032 projections.
Our arithmetic: the 2026 minimum is about 4.1 to 4.5 times the 2025 minimum ($66,079), the average is roughly 4.9 times, and the maximum is about 5.6 times the old supermax. The cap itself rose 4.7 times.
Why pay jumped: revenue sharing
The agreement creates what the league describes as the first comprehensive revenue-sharing model in women’s professional sports. The salary cap is no longer a fixed number: according to the league, it will adjust every year based on league and team revenue growth. The league projects more than $1 billion in player salaries and benefits over the life of the deal. All of these figures are projections that depend on revenue.
Rookie pay
The new rookie scale gives the No. 1 pick in 2026 a projected $500,000. CBS Sports, citing ESPN, reported that works out to about $2.2 million across the four-year rookie deal, and that lottery picks get a guaranteed salary in their first season. Existing rookie contracts were adjusted upward. The agreement also adds a faster route to a maximum contract: players on rookie deals who win MVP or make the All-WNBA First or Second Team can reach it sooner.
Award and playoff bonuses
Performance bonuses rose sharply, per CBS Sports:
| Honor | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| WNBA champion | $22,908 | $60,000 |
| MVP | $15,450 | $60,000 |
| All-WNBA First Team | $10,300 | $30,000 |
| Defensive Player of the Year | $5,150 | $30,000 |
| All-Star Game MVP | $5,150 | $20,000 |
| Rookie of the Year | $5,150 | $15,000 |
| All-Defensive First Team | $1,500 | $15,000 |
| All-Star | $2,575 | $15,000 |
The league says these bonuses will grow with the cap after 2026.
Roster, schedule and benefits
- Roster: teams must carry a full 12-player roster, plus two developmental spots that do not count against the cap. Developmental players receive a stipend and benefits, per CBS.
- Protected contracts: teams can now have up to seven, up from six, according to ESPN as reported by CBS.
- Core designation: starting in 2027, players with seven or more years of service can no longer be designated Core Players.
- Season length: 44 games in 2026, up to 50 in 2027 and 2028, and 52 from 2029 to 2032.
- Housing: league-provided housing for all players through 2028, then for players earning under $500,000 in 2029 and 2030.
- Travel and facilities: league-wide charter travel and higher facility and staffing standards.
- Retirement and recognition: higher team 401(k) contributions, plus one-time payments for retired players: $100,000 for 12 or more years of service, $50,000 for 8 to 11 years, and $30,000 for 5 to 7 years.
- Pregnancy and family: a cap exception for pregnant players and a requirement that a team get the player’s permission before trading her, per CBS.
What these numbers do and don’t tell you
The $583,000 average is the league’s expectation for 2026, not a payroll audit. Actual averages depend on who signed which contracts, and individual deals vary. Overseas income, endorsements, and other business ventures aren’t included in any of these figures. Because the cap tracks revenue, the projections for later years may change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the WNBA minimum salary in 2026?
$270,000 to $300,000, depending on years of service, according to the league.
What is the maximum WNBA salary in 2026?
$1.4 million, projected to exceed $2.4 million by 2032 if revenue grows as projected.
How much did the No. 1 pick in 2026 earn?
The agreement projected $500,000 for the first year of the rookie deal.
What is the WNBA salary cap in 2026?
$7.0 million, up from $1.5 million in 2025.
How long does the CBA last?
Seven years, 2026 through 2032, with an opt-out after the sixth year.
