WNBA Players Kick Off 2025 Season by Calling for Better Pay
*The 2025 WNBA season tipped off on Friday (05-16-25), but the players are focused on more than just wins and losses. They’ve launched a renewed push for a higher salary cap, urging the league to address the massive pay gap between WNBA and NBA athletes.
Negotiations between the WNBA and its players’ association have already begun as both sides revisit the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which determines the league’s salary structure and team spending limits. The outcome could significantly change how much players earn moving forward.
Salary Disparity Between WNBA and NBA is Staggering
The current WNBA salary cap is set at $1.3 million per team. That’s barely more than the NBA’s minimum salary for a rookie, which starts at $1.16 million. Meanwhile, the NBA salary cap towers at $140.5 million — more than 100 times higher than the WNBA’s.
To put it in perspective, the NBA’s lowest-paid players earn about five times more than the highest-paid WNBA stars. The NBA’s top earner, Stephen Curry, makes $55.8 million per year. In contrast, Jackie Young, the WNBA’s highest-paid player, earns $252,450.
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WNBA Top Salaries vs. NBA Stars
Here’s a closer look at what top athletes in each league are earning:
- Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces): $252,450
- Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm): $245,508
- Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury): $245,059
- Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings): $241,984
Meanwhile, NBA stars dominate the salary charts:
- Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors): $55.8 million
- Nikola Jokić: $51.4 million
- LeBron James: $47.6 million
The average WNBA salary is around $147,745. In comparison, the NBA’s average salary soars past $12 million for the 2024/25 season.
Rookies in Two Worlds: Caitlin Clark vs. Zaccharie Risacher
Top WNBA draft pick Caitlin Clark earns about $76,535 in her rookie year. That’s less than 1% of what NBA No. 1 draft pick Zaccharie Risacher will make — $14.25 million per year or $57 million over four years.
Even the minimum salary in the WNBA, $70,103 for players with less than three years’ experience, is dwarfed by the NBA’s rookie minimum of $1.16 million. That’s a 16.5x difference — and again, it’s just the NBA’s floor.
Why the Pay Gap Is So Wide
The NBA brings in over $10 billion in revenue annually. The WNBA earns an estimated $180–$220 million. NBA players receive about 50% of basketball-related income, while WNBA players receive just 20% — and only if revenue targets are hit.
Other factors include:
- Viewership & Media Rights: NBA games draw massive audiences and international media deals. WNBA games air in just 24 countries versus the NBA’s 214.
- Season Length: The NBA season includes 82 games. The WNBA plays just 34.
- Endorsements: LeBron James makes $70 million a year from endorsements. WNBA stars like A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark earn far less in sponsorships.
Push for Equity Gains Momentum in 2025
The current WNBA CBA, signed in 2020, raised salaries and introduced bonuses and marketing deals that could push top players’ earnings over $500,000. But players want more. The WNBPA may opt out of the agreement in November 2025 to renegotiate better terms, including higher caps and revenue sharing.
There is reason for optimism. Viewership is rising, led by rookie sensations like Caitlin Clark. The league’s media rights deals also expire in 2025 and are expected to be renegotiated for significantly higher value — which could boost player salaries across the board.
Visualizing the WNBA Pay Gap
If these salaries were displayed on a bar chart, the WNBA’s numbers would barely register. Curry’s $55.8 million would create a skyscraper of a bar, while Young’s $252,450 would be a tiny sliver. Even the NBA’s minimum salary would appear five times taller than the WNBA’s max pay.
The average NBA player earns about 81 times more than the average WNBA player. The top salary difference is 220x, and even rookie deals show a gap of 186x.
What’s Next for the WNBA?
The 2025 season is just getting started, but off-court talks may shape the league’s future even more than the games. With a growing fanbase, pressure is mounting for the WNBA to close the pay gap — or at least narrow it — and deliver equity to the athletes driving the game forward.
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