WNBA’s New CBA Raises Salaries, Introduces Revenue Sharing, and Redefines Player Futures

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) and the WNBA ratified a new collective bargaining agreement in March 2026 after the previous CBA lapsed in October 2025. The deal lifts the league-wide minimum salary from $66,000 to $270,000, sets the top contract ceiling at $1.4 million, and creates an $8 million revenue-sharing pool—the first distribution triggered by the league’s inaugural profitable season. The agreement also aims to reduce the historic reliance on overseas contracts that many players pursued to supplement low domestic earnings.

The Guardian

The CBA projects an average player salary of $583,000. The new minimum of $270,000 applies to all players, while several contracts now exceed six figures. Notable salaries include Alysha Clark’s $277,500, Courtney Williams’s $1.19 million, Alanna Smith’s $1.19 million, and Maddy Siegrist’s $501,180. Players estimate the revenue share at roughly 9 % of league profits, resulting in the $8 million pool.

The Guardian

WNBPA vice-president Alysha Clark said the agreement ties respect for the players’ craft directly to compensation. League statements indicated that the $8 million distribution stems from the WNBA’s first profitable season, directly countering earlier claims that the organization could not meet the union’s revenue-sharing proposals.

The Guardian

The league previously asserted it could not meet the union’s revenue-sharing proposals; the $8 million payout under the new CBA contradicts that claim, creating a discrepancy between league statements and player expectations.

The Guardian

• “This isn’t only going to enhance the superstars in our league and the rising stars of the rookies, but it’s going to change the lives of the heartbeat of the league,” — Alysha Clark, Vice-President, WNBPA

The Guardian

• “I’m getting my mama a new house,” — Courtney Williams, Guard, Minnesota Lynx

The Guardian

• “We want players in the future generations to be able to stay at home,” — Alysha Clark, Vice-President, WNBPA

The Guardian

• “Future planning, retirement-wise, was always on my mind,” — Alanna Smith, Forward, Dallas Wings

The Guardian

• “With this type of money, you don’t necessarily have to do that if you don’t want to,” — Alanna Smith, Forward, Dallas Wings

The Guardian

The 2026 season will be the first fully under the new CBA, allowing players to assess how higher salaries affect off-season choices and long-term planning. Williams said the discussion will continue as the league and the union evaluate the agreement’s impact.

The Guardian