US EditionAs WNBA popularity soars, player salaries remain a big hurdle for the league to address
- The WNBA, now 29 years old, has seen a meteoric rise in popularity while player salaries remain disproportionately low in 2025.
- This discrepancy stems from longstanding collective bargaining negotiations led by the NBA, which owns about 60% of the league and controls salary decisions.
- Despite an 11-year media rights deal starting in 2026 worth around $200 million annually and operational improvements like charter flights, player salaries have only modestly increased.
- Economist David Berri estimates that a 50% revenue share could raise average salaries to $1 million and max salaries to $3–5 million, but no WNBA player has earned close to $1 million yet.
- With players willing to consider sitting out games for fair pay, similar to the U.S. Women’s soccer team, this negotiation phase may redefine compensation amid the league’s financial growth.
23 Articles
23 Articles
The Daily Advance
As WNBA popularity soars, player salaries remain a big hurdle for the league to address
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