WNBA players are on the verge of a massive 500% pay rise as new CBA talks hint at million-dollar max contracts and 300K minimums. Here’s what’s really happening behind the scenes.
The WNBA Players Are About to Get PAID
It’s looking extremely likely that WNBA players are finally about to get something close to what they’ve been asking for. According to insider reports from Annie Costabile, the latest WNBA CBA proposal includes a supermax salary near $850,000 and a veteran minimum hovering around $300,000 in year one.
If those numbers hold, that’s not just a raise—it’s a revolution.
But of course, it wouldn’t be the WNBA without drama. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert seems to have gone rogue again, allegedly cutting out even team owners from discussions. The Aces’ owner publicly admitted he hasn’t been consulted on key negotiations. That’s wild.
Everyone—players, owners, and fans alike—want Engelbert gone.
A Lockout Helps Nobody
Here’s the truth: a lockout benefits maybe 1% of WNBA players—people like Breanna Stewart or Napheesa Collier, who have ownership stakes or big outside income. But for the other 99% of players? A lockout is a financial nightmare.
Everyone knows it—players, owners, agents, even the NBA office. Which is why there’s growing belief that this deal is going to get done.
The math makes sense. If the minimum jumps from $80K to $300K and the salary cap lands around $7 million per team, owners aren’t exactly going broke. That’s pocket change compared to the growing franchise values.
And if it keeps the WNBA stable, it’s worth every penny.
Adam Silver Won’t Let a Lockout Happen
Here’s where things get even more interesting: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reportedly isn’t going to let this situation blow up.
Why? Because the NBA is playing a long, global game.
They’re already in talks to create NBA Europe by 2027, effectively absorbing EuroLeague basketball under their umbrella. The NBA wants control of world basketball—youth, pros, men’s, women’s, everything.
If the WNBA implodes due to a lockout, it gives player-run leagues like Unrivaled (the new venture led by top WNBA stars) a massive opening to become the A-side of women’s basketball.
That’s something the NBA will never allow.
If Unrivaled becomes the main women’s league, the WNBA would instantly become the B-league—and it might never recover. The NBA loses control, and billions of potential global revenue go out the window.
So no—Adam Silver won’t let that happen.
A Million-Dollar Max Contract Is Coming
When the smoke clears, expect this: a WNBA max contract worth over $1 million.
That’s right. For the first time in league history, the best players could crack seven figures on their base salary alone. The minimum? Around $300K for veterans and $250K for rookies.
And honestly, that’s fair.
Women’s basketball has exploded in popularity thanks to players like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart. The ratings, ticket sales, and social media buzz are all skyrocketing. The business case for higher pay has never been stronger.
The Revenue Split Battle
Now, let’s be real—players are never getting a 50/50 revenue split. Not as long as the NBA owns half the W.
That deal was signed years ago, and it locked the WNBA into a structure that makes true parity impossible. The league’s debts, investors, and NBA oversight mean the “revenue split” argument is more of a bargaining chip than a real goal.
But that’s fine. Because right now, base salary growth is the real prize.
If they can push the supermax to $1.5 million and secure a 300K floor, it changes everything. Suddenly, staying in the W instead of going overseas becomes the smarter move financially.
And that’s how the league finally keeps its stars home.
Why This CBA Matters More Than Ever
This isn’t just another round of negotiations—it’s the defining moment for the WNBA’s future.
The NBA wants global dominance. The WNBA wants legitimacy and fair pay. Both sides know that blowing this up would be catastrophic, especially with rival leagues forming and fan engagement at an all-time high.
This deal, more than any before, could finally balance growth, fairness, and sustainability.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been following women’s basketball for years, this is the moment fans have been waiting for.
The WNBA is close to locking in a deal that could make million-dollar contracts the new normal.
It’s about time.
The players deserve it. The fans demand it. And the business makes sense.
There might still be tension, power struggles, and headlines about Engelbert or the NBA’s control—but when it’s all said and done, don’t be surprised if 2025 becomes the year WNBA players finally cash in.
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