Jenny Allen, Staff Writer
The Women’s National Basketball Association and the Women’s National Basketball Player Association announced a new collective bargaining agreement in March.
The new seven-year CBA began in the 2026 season and extends through 2032. It marks one of the most groundbreaking labor agreements in professional sports.
In recent years, professional women’s sports have been exceeding expectations, quickly winning over fans.
Despite the argument regarding the value differences between men’s and women’s professional sports, both athletes work equally as hard and both should be recognized for their skills.
Disregarding gender bias — fans support talent, dedication and hard work; the women’s professional sports industry growth has proven what they have to offer is equally as enjoyable and compelling as men’s sports.
The hypergrowth is currently expanding 4.5 times faster than men’s sports, according to Denver 7. The global revenue for women’s sports are projected to reach $2.3 billion this year alone.
As a result, the CBA agreement will result in major changes towards WNBA players compensation with a salary cap set at $7 million for the 2026 season. This is a 364% increase — the largest in U.S. professional sports history. The cap will be adjusted annually depending on both league and team revenue changes.
After the monumental 2025 season, the WNBA reached records with the most-watched regular season, postseason, opening weekend and three point contest ever, according to ESPN Press Room. Across the 25 regular season games, the WNBA on ESPN networks averaged 1.3 million views which marks a 6% increase year-over-year.
With viewership proving their worth, the WNBA projects more than $1 billion in player salaries and benefits.
Top players will now have the opportunity to sign history-making multi-million dollar contracts for the first time ever. Maximum-contract players will earn a salary of $1.4 million in 2026 with an expectation to grow to more than $2.4 million by the end of the agreement.
No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd is now the highest-paid rookie in WNBA history thanks to the CBA, according to Sports Illustrated. In her first season with the Dallas Wings, she will earn a $500,000 fully guaranteed contract followed by $520,000 in her second year and $572,000 in her third season. By the final year of her contract, Fudd will be making $646,360.
All first-round draft picks will now be making more during their rookie season than any WNBA players had ever made due to the agreement, highlighting the growth and investment of women’s sports.
Prior to Fudd and the CBA, the highest-paid WNBA player — Indiana Fever’s All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell — was only given a salary of $249,244.
The 2025 No.1 pick Paige Bueckers’ rookie salary was set at $78,831, with a four-year contract worth $348,000, making Fudd’s earrings six times more than the amount Bueckers earned last year.
Bueckers is now expected to see a pay increase as she is projected to earn $499,200 in salary.
Veteran players can also significantly benefit from the CBA as they can now receive up to $1.4 million supermax contracts.
Mitchell signed a one-year supermax contract for $1.4 million, making her the highest-paid player in team history.
Aside from increased player salaries, overall player experiences will also be enhanced, according to the NBA. Team facilities, first-class travel accommodations, performance bonuses and retirement plans are also a part of the deal.
The CBA also included an increased minimum roster size of 12 players plus two more roster spots for developmental players.
Players will not be the only ones benefiting from the CBA, as fans will now have more basketball to enjoy due to an increase of up to 50 games in 2027 and 2028 and up to 52 games in 2029 through 2032.