For the first time in the WNBA’s nearly three-decade history, players will earn million-dollar salaries. The collective bargaining agreement ratified last month is the reason why. The WNBPA and the league negotiated a new deal that dramatically restructured player compensation at every level, from rookies entering their first professional contract to veteran superstars signing extensions.
The centerpiece of the new agreement is the supermax contract, set at $1.4 million for the 2026 season. The supermax is more than four times the previous CBA’s equivalent ceiling of $250,000. Eligibility for the supermax requires at least five years of service and an individual achievement such as an All-WNBA selection, MVP award, or a Defensive Player of the Year honor within the prior three seasons. Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson became the agreement’s first beneficiary, signing a fully guaranteed three-year deal totaling $5 million– the largest contract in league history. Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell also secured a supermax arrangement, and across the league, more than twenty players inked deals averaging at least $1 million per year.
The transformation under the new CBA is equally dramatic at the rookie level. When Caitlin Clark was drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever in 2024, her first-year salary was $76,355. This figure drew major criticism given her immediate impact on attendance, viewership, and merchandise sales. The following year’s top pick earned only marginally more. Under the new agreement, 2026 first overall pick Azzi Fudd is projected to earn $500,000 in her debut season, with contractual escalators built in through 2028 and a team option the year after. The broader first-round class will average approximately $386,000, compared to roughly $75,000 for the same class just one year prior.
The new CBA also introduces the EPIC provision, Exceptional Players on Initial Contracts, which creates an accelerated path to maximum contract eligibility for rookies who earn All-WNBA recognition within their first three seasons. Caitlin Clark is eligible to sign a max deal as early as 2027 under this provision, with a potential supermax available in 2028 should she earn MVP honors. This provision is legally significant because it connects earning potential to tangible performance metrics rather than leaving advancement entirely to team discretion. EPIC gives players a clearer and more predictable framework during their early years in the league.
The message on those shirts at All-Star week said it best: “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” Through the new CBA, the league finally listened.
Sources:
Kirsten Wong, A’ja Wilson Tops List of Million-Dollar WNBA Players With Historic Supermax Deal, Sports Illustrated (Apr. 15, 2026).
Cydney Henderson, Caitlin Clark made $76K as a rookie. Azzi Fudd will get $500K– here’s why, USA Today (Apr. 14, 2026).
As a second-year law student at UB Law, I've found my calling at the intersection of sports, labor law, and collective bargaining. Growing up watching professional basketball and football, I was always captivated by the games, but in law school, I developed a deep interest in what happens off the court and field.
I'm particularly drawn to the high-stakes world of CBA negotiations, where leagues and players' unions negotiate over revenue sharing, workplace protections, and compensation models. Through this blog, I analyze the legal strategies behind sports headlines, breaking down complex labor disputes, arbitration cases, and contract negotiations.
This is where my love of sports meets my dedication to law. Welcome to the conversation!
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