A’ja Wilson is on the verge of a major financial leap, with reports indicating her salary could rise from around $200,000 to as much as $1.4 million annually under the newly agreed WNBA collective bargaining agreement.
The Las Vegas Aces star is expected to become one of the first players to benefit from the updated pay structure as the league moves toward finalizing its new deal.
A’ja Wilson, a four-time MVP and one of the most dominant players in women’s basketball, has long been at the center of conversations about WNBA player compensation. In 2023, she signed a two-year extension that paid her approximately $200,000 per year, a figure that placed her below the previous supermax threshold of $249,000 despite her accolades and on-court success.
That context makes the latest developments particularly significant. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, the WNBA salary cap is set to increase to $7 million, a substantial jump from $1.5 million under the previous agreement. The updated structure also raises the players’ revenue share to nearly 20 percent, compared to the reported 9.3 percent in the prior deal. Within that framework, the new supermax salary is expected to reach $1.4 million annually, with average salaries projected around $600,000 and minimum salaries exceeding $300,000.
Shortly after the announcement of the tentative agreement between the WNBA and its players, A’ja is expected to re-sign with the Las Vegas Aces under the new terms. According to reports, she, along with approximately 80 percent of the league’s players, is currently a free agent. Once the agreement is officially certified by both the players and the league, teams will be able to move forward with signings, and A’ja is among those expected to stay with Las Vegas.
A’ja Wilson’s impact on the game has already placed her among elite company. She made history by becoming the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win the league scoring title, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP all in the same season. She has also joined NBA legend Bill Russell as the only players to win at least three MVP awards and three championships within a four-year span, underscoring her dominance and consistency at the highest level.
The WNBA’s new agreement not only reflects a shift in player compensation but also signals broader changes within the league’s financial structure. The updated CBA is designed to increase player earnings and provide a more equitable share of league revenue while ensuring stability by preventing a lockout for the upcoming season, which is scheduled to begin on May 8, pending final approval from both sides.
