Here are the highest paid WNBA players for the 2024 season – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

The WNBA may be an emerging league, but its players' salaries are still low.

Caitlin Clark's official entry into the league as the No. 1 overall pick increased the league's popularity, but also made it clear that there was a significant pay gap compared to other major leagues.

For example, Clark is expected to make $338,056 over four seasons, per Spotrac, an average of $84,514 per year. It's the same number as other top-four picks Cameron Brink (Los Angeles Sparks), Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky) and Rickea Jackson (Sparks).

For comparison, Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs' 2023 No. 1 overall pick, has a four-year contract worth over $55 million, via Spotrac. And the player with the highest average NBA salary is Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets at $55.2 million.

So who are the WNBA's highest paid players for the 2024 season? Here you will find everything you need to know about all the numbers about Spotrac:

Who is the highest paid player in the WNBA?

In terms of average salary, Las Vegas Aces star Jackie Young is alone at the top, earning $252,420 per year through 2024.

Who are the highest paid players in the WNBA?

After Young, 20 other players earn at least $200,000. In 2020, the league's most recent collective bargaining agreement increased the possible maximum salary for the highest-paid players from $117,500 to $215,000. This CBA is scheduled to expire in 2027, but the WNBA Players' Association has the option to terminate this contract after the 2024 season.

Here is the full list of 20 players:

• Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces: $252,420
• Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm: $245,508
• Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury: $245,059
• Arika Ogunwobale, Dallas Wings: $241,984
• Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury: $234,936
• Natasha Howard, Dallas Wings: $224,675
• Erica Wheeler, Indiana Fever: $222,154
• Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun: $212,000
• Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle Storm: $211,343
• Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun: $209,000
• Marina Mabrey, Chicago Sky: $206,667
• Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx: $206,500
• Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever: $206,000
• Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty: $205,030
• Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty: $205,000
• Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm: $204,500
• A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces: $200,000
• DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut Sun: $200,000
• Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces: $200,000
• Ariel Atkins, Washington Mystics: $200,000
• Natasha Cloud, Phoenix Mercury: $200,000

Other notable players like Mercury's Brittney Griner ($150,000) and Aces' Candace Parker ($100,000) are outside the top 20.

Who is the highest paid WNBA rookie in 2024?

Four rookies have the highest WNBA salaries entering the 2024 season. They are the top four picks in the draft: Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), Cameron Brink (Los Angeles Sparks), Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky) and Rickea Jackson (Sparks).

Why are WNBA salaries so low?

There are several reasons why WNBA salaries lag behind those of other major leagues in the United States, most notably league revenue generated, revenue split between league and player contracts, and season length.

The NBA, for example, recently generated an estimated $10 billion in one season. The WNBA reportedly made around $200 million in 2023, but that number has gradually increased.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said ahead of the 2024 draft that the league plans to expand to 16 teams by 2028, which would be a possible way to increase player salaries. Renegotiating the collective agreement after the 2024 election campaign could also be another medium-term solution.