Equal pay in professional basketball has long been out of reach for WNBA players compared to their NBA counterparts—and for many, that’s no surprise. But for anyone still catching up, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark made the message loud and clear this past weekend, arriving to warmups in a black T-shirt that read: “Pay Us […]
Menej ako 1 min. min.
Equal pay in professional basketball has long been out of reach for WNBA players compared to their NBA counterparts—and for many, that’s no surprise. But for anyone still catching up, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark made the message loud and clear this past weekend, arriving to warmups in a black T-shirt that read: “Pay Us What You Owe Us.”
Clark wasn’t alone in this sentiment. As the league’s top athletes gathered in Indianapolis for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, players took the opportunity to make this unified statement. Dressed in matching tees, they collectively called out the persistent pay gap that continues to define the league.
Founded in 1997 with just eight teams, the WNBA has grown to 13, with plans to expand to 18 by 2030. While the NBA boasts 30 teams, many WNBA players argue that the talent and fan support are just as strong, yet salaries remain significantly unequal.
That frustration has only intensified with the league’s upcoming $2.2 billion media rights deal set to begin next season. Expansion fees alone are reaching $250 million per franchise, yet player compensation hasn’t kept pace.
Clark, who rose to fame during her record-breaking run at the University of Iowa, is far from the highest-paid player in the league—largely because she’s still a rookie. Under the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), salaries are determined by experience, performance, and contract scale. Clark earned $76,535 in 2024, is set to make $78,066 this season, and will receive up to $97,582 by the end of her rookie contract in 2027.
With growing interest in the league and the ongoing conversation about player compensation, L’OFFICIEL breaks down the highest-paid athletes in the WNBA.
Jackie Young – Las Vegas Aces – $252,450
Kelsey Mitchell – Indiana Fever – $249,244
Jewell Loyd – Las Vegas Aces – $245,508
Kahleah Copper – Phoenix Mercury – $245,059
Arike Ogunbowale – Dallas Wings – $241,984
Gabby Williams – Seattle Storm – $225,000
Alyssa Thomas – Phoenix Mercury – $215,000
Satou Sabally – Phoenix Mercury – $215,000
Natasha Howard – Indiana Fever – $214,666
Brionna Jones – Atlanta Dream – $214,666
Brittney Griner – Atlanta Dream – $214,666
