The world of women's professional basketball is undergoing a seismic financial shift. As the WNBA enjoys unprecedented popularity with skyrocketing TV ratings and packed stadiums, its elite athletes are finally securing compensation that mirrors their superstar status. The 2025-2026 season marks a pivotal moment, with top players commanding supermax contracts that set new benchmarks for the league. While these figures are on an upward trajectory, they represent a landmark victory for the players who have built the WNBA into a global sports powerhouse.
The Financial Vanguard: WNBA's Top Earners
Here is a detailed look at the five most expensive active contracts in the WNBA for the 2025-2026 season, highlighting the players who are redefining the league's economic ceiling.
5. Kahleah Copper: The Premium Wing
Securing the fifth spot is Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury. The 2021 Finals MVP, renowned for her explosive athleticism and tenacious defense, moved to the Mercury in a 2024 trade. Her contract, a two-year extension valued at $490,118, included a base salary of $248,134 for the 2025 season. As she enters the 2026 season, Copper will be an unrestricted free agent (UFA), poised to test her value on the open market once more.
4. Jewell Loyd: The Lethal Scorer
Despite a high-profile move to the Las Vegas Aces in a blockbuster three-team deal early in the 2025 season, Jewell Loyd remains one of the game's most feared offensive weapons. Her financial standing is anchored by a two-year extension signed with the Seattle Storm back in 2023, worth $491,016. She earned a guaranteed $249,032 in 2025 and heads into 2026 as an unrestricted free agent, with expectations of a significant cap hit for whichever team secures her services.
3. Arike Ogunbowale: The Queen of Clutch
Tied with Loyd in annual salary, Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings is the undisputed maestro of the game-winning shot. The Wings' front office made a powerful statement by securing her with a three-year supermax extension worth $725,000. As one of the league's most prolific scorers, she earned $249,032 in 2025. Now entering free agency, Ogunbowale's impressive resume is anticipated to trigger a substantial rise in her salary cap figure for the 2026 season.
2. Kelsey Mitchell: The Veteran Leader
Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever briefly held the title of the league's highest-paid player after signing a one-year deal for $249,244 in 2025. She proved her worth by stepping up as a veteran leader, especially after rookie sensation Caitlin Clark was sidelined by injury. Mitchell's combination of sharpshooting and guidance for a young team made her contract a valuable investment for the Fever. Although she is currently a free agent, the market expects her to command an even larger contract before the new season tips off.
1. Jackie Young: The Record-Setting Benchmark
Topping the list and making history is Las Vegas Aces' Jackie Young. The versatile guard became the first WNBA player to cross the $250,000 annual salary threshold. Her two-year extension with the Aces, initially signed in 2022 and extended again in May 2024, set a new record for Average Annual Value (AAV). Known as a "silent assassin" for her elite two-way play, Young's total contract value of $504,900 is the current gold standard. Her deal is the primary benchmark being cited by player agents in ongoing negotiations for the 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), symbolizing the new financial aspirations of the league's stars.
A New Era for Women's Sports
This list is more than just a ranking of salaries; it is a testament to the WNBA's remarkable growth. The surge in media deals, merchandise sales, and fan engagement has directly translated into better compensation for the athletes. These contracts, particularly the supermax deals and record-setting AAVs, signal a financial revolution that has been long overdue. As the league continues to expand its global footprint, the economic gap with other major professional sports leagues is steadily narrowing, promising an even brighter and more equitable future for the world's best women basketball players.
