WNBA player salaries could see a significant boost under a reported league proposal.
Several outlets, citing sources, reported these potential changes for the 2026 season:
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The league average salary would rise from about $130,000 to more than $460,000.
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The minimum salary would rise from the $78,000 range to more than $220,000.
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The maximum salary would rise from about $250,000 to more than $1.1 million.
Many details remain unknown, such as the length of collective bargaining agreement, how salaries could rise beyond 2026, how much league revenue would go to the players and more.
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Neither the WNBA nor the players’ union immediately commented on the reports.
The CBA between the league and players was set to expire Oct. 31, but the sides agreed to an extension through November before a lockout could be imposed.
The issues: How CBA negotiations between league, players’ union could affect WNBA offseason
Players have loudly sought significant play increases and a larger share of league revenue for months. During the WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, players wore “pay us what you owe us” T-shirts, and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier took league commissioner Cathy Engelbert to task over these issues.
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Caitlin Clark salary
Caitlin Clark, selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, counted $78,066 toward the 2025 salary cap. Under the previous CBA, she would count $85,873 toward the ’26 cap, according to Spotrac.
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@gannett.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Subscribe to IndyStar’s YouTube page for Fever Insiders Live.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: WNBA player salaries could rise significantly in new CBA, league proposal
