Significant changes are coming to WNBA player compensation, with the salary cap projected to reach $7 million in 2026, a substantial increase from $1.5 million in 2025. The supermax salary for top players will also see a massive leap, climbing to $1.4 million in 2026 from $249,244 in 2025 – a 5.6-fold increase. The average player salary is expected to be around $583,000, up from $120,000 in 2025. Minimum salaries will also rise, featuring five tiers based on years of service, ranging from $270,000 to $300,000, compared to $66,079 in 2025.
As a prime example of these impending changes, Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark, who was named the 2024 Rookie of the Year and earned $78,066 in 2025, is projected to see her salary soar to $530,000 in 2026. Her earnings could then reach the anticipated maximum salary of $1.3 million in 2027, qualifying as a former All-WNBA player. Ultimately, she could sign a supermax contract worth $1.7 million by 2028.
During recent negotiations, player housing emerged as a significant point of contention. The league initially excluded housing provisions from its proposals, despite teams having provided it since the WNBA’s inaugural collective bargaining agreement in 1999. Ultimately, an agreement was reached: housing will be provided to all players for the first three years of the new deal. Following this period, from 2029 to 2030, it will only be available to players earning $500,000 or less. Beyond 2030, housing provisions will exclusively apply to developing players.
