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A'ja Wilson's Supermax, Fourth MVP Boost Aces' Title Defense

5/9/2026

Summary

Aces Defend Title

The Las Vegas Aces will defend their WNBA title on Saturday, May 9, 2026, hosting the Phoenix Mercury at T-Mobile Arena.
A’ja Wilson signed a near-$5 million three-year supermax, became the league’s highest-paid player, and earned a record fourth MVP after averaging 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
The Aces will receive championship rings in a pregame ceremony, while oddsmakers list them as the second-favorite to win the 2026 championship.

Summary

Bueckers Favored

GM survey named Paige Bueckers likely to start a new franchise, with 33% of votes.
The poll gave A’ja Wilson 60% of votes as 2026 MVP favorite and 53% as top defender.
Bookmakers list Wilson as MVP favorite at +220 odds and Bueckers at fifth-best 14-1 odds.
BetMGM says 85% of the handle backs Bueckers, making her largest liability and naming Dallas Wings the most improved with 67% of votes.

Summary

WNBA Raises Salary

The 2026 agreement lifted the WNBA team salary cap to $7 million, up from $1.5 million.
Salaries now range from $270,000 minimum to $1.4 million maximum, creating million-dollar contracts.
Napheesa Collier (Lynx), Kelsey Mitchell (Fever) and A’ja Wilson (Aces) each earned the $1.4 million maximum, tying for highest pay.
Aliyah Boston’s four-year, $6.3 million extension, the largest total deal, coincides with Wilson’s three-year, $5 million contract that provides a $1.67 million average annual value, the highest AAV.

Summary

WNBA Sets Record

The 2026 WNBA season will set a record with 216 nationally televised and streamed games on ABC/ESPN, CBS, NBC, ION and NBA TV.
Cynthia Cooper and Candace Parker will broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, each predicting a different WNBA Finals matchup.
The weekend will feature Toronto Tempo’s debut versus Washington Mystics, while the Connecticut Sun will play its final season at Mohegan Sun Arena before moving to Houston in 2027.

History

Historical Context

The WNBA launched in 1996 and began play in 1997 with eight franchises, where the Houston Comets captured the first championship. Since then the league expanded to 13 teams by 2025 and will add two more in 2026, including its first Canadian club. The Las Vegas Aces, record-holders with 34 wins in 2023, now defend their title.

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Aces Defend Title

The Las Vegas Aces will defend their WNBA title on Saturday, May 9, 2026, hosting the Phoenix Mercury at T-Mobile Arena.
A’ja Wilson signed a near-$5 million three-year supermax, became the league’s highest-paid player, and earned a record fourth MVP after averaging 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
The Aces will receive championship rings in a pregame ceremony, while oddsmakers list them as the second-favorite to win the 2026 championship.

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