As Breanna Stewart embarks on her ninth season with the WNBA, she reflects on the evolving landscape of women’s basketball. The New York Liberty All-Star has witnessed a gradual increase in player visibility and salaries over the years, but she believes much more needs to be done to adequately reward the players who drive the league’s growing popularity.
Stewart has actively participated in the negotiation of two past collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) as a member of the WNBA players union. Currently, a crucial third round of negotiations is in progress, which Stewart sees as pivotal in her career. Her aspiration is to see player salaries reach unprecedented heights, aligning with the league’s rising profile.
“Player salaries have been increasing steadily,” Stewart mentioned. “The forthcoming TV deal might catapult us into a different league altogether,” she added, reinforcing the optimism shared by many players. The new television deals and increasing sponsorship revenues are expected to significantly boost the league’s financial standings by 2026.
The decision by WNBA athletes to opt out of the existing CBA two years before its expiration reflects their anticipation of a fairer distribution of earnings. With the league’s popularity surging and an 11-year media deal projected to bring in approximately $200 million annually, beginning in 2026, the players seek compensation that matches this growth.
As the WNBA expands, more teams and roster spots are being introduced. Additionally, the league implemented full-time charter flights last season, a long-awaited victory for players who had long petitioned for improved travel conditions.
Despite these advancements, players’ share of revenue remains modest, with athletes pushing for a larger piece of the pie. Issues around player compensation have persisted, linked to the NBA, which controls about 60% of the WNBA and steers CBA negotiations. The league’s players are determined for negotiations to result in a pay structure they find equitable, even if that means potentially sitting out games.
“The skills are evident, the product is incredible,” noted Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale. “Now, fair compensation should follow.” The previous CBA increased the maximum salary for star players from $117,500 in 2019 to $215,000 in 2020, but in light of the league’s booming popularity, this is seen as insufficient by many players.
The arrival of standout players like Caitlin Clark, driving record fan numbers, places additional pressure on resolving salary inequalities. However, rookies like Paige Bueckers, recently drafted by the WNBA, still find themselves earning significantly less than their male counterparts in base salaries, despite being seen as transformative talents for their teams.
The disparity between WNBA and NBA salaries remains stark. NBA rookies secure multimillion-dollar contracts, while top WNBA players like Stewart and A’ja Wilson can earn at most around $240,000. This difference partly stems from the NBA’s massive profit margins, generating approximately $11 billion recently, compared to the WNBA’s unverified but significantly lesser earnings.
Historically, the current player salaries in the WNBA do not even mirror what the NBA paid when it achieved comparable revenue levels adjusted for inflation in past decades. “They pay women substantially less compared to what the men were paid 50 years ago,” said an expert, drawing attention to the evident inequities between the leagues.
The possibility of significant salary increases remains to be seen, though expert analysis suggests a fair share of $200 million in earnings could lead to average salaries reaching at least $1 million, with top salaries ranging from $3 million to $5 million. However, achieving such figures involves overcoming numerous hurdles.
“If the NBA acknowledges the pay gap and addresses it, it could revolutionize the industry,” the expert added. Reaching the $1 million mark for salaries in the WNBA could set an important benchmark, validating the immense value players offer.
While WNBA players have rarely sat out games during CBA negotiations, the increasing financial success of the league gives them some leverage. However, compared to the NBA, they still wield limited influence, given the NBA’s longstanding establishment and financial clout.
Inspiration can be drawn from the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s successful fight for pay parity, accomplished through continuous media engagement and advocacy. This strategy presents a potential blueprint for WNBA players striving for equitable treatment.
If players choose to sit out games during the negotiations, it would align with their history of advocacy for social causes, including gender pay equality. Determined to stand for themselves, WNBA players recognize their own value and the progress that can be achieved by championing their rights alongside others.