For years, the story of women's professional basketball was stuck on repeat: talented athletes forced to play overseas to make a living, with base salaries that sparked endless debate but little change. As 2025 draws to a close, that old script is being torn up and rewritten. The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has experienced a financial revolution, positioning itself among the world's premier sports leagues.
The $3.5 Billion Transformation: A League Redefined
The most staggering number tells the new story: the WNBA's value in 2025 skyrocketed by an incredible 180%, reaching an estimated $3.5 billion. This seismic shift is powered by a perfect storm of generational talent and corporate investment. The "Caitlin Clark effect" brought unprecedented attention, while global sportswear giants like Nike, Puma, and Reebok made a massive pivot to prioritise signature lines for women athletes. Today, the league's wealthiest stars are not just players; they are powerful corporate entities building legacies that rival their NBA counterparts.
A Forbes report highlights a fascinating income dichotomy. In 2025, the top 20 athletes earned over 72% of their income from off-court endeavours like endorsements and business ventures. In contrast, male athletes still derived 71% of their earnings from their playing salaries. While the pay disparity remains a stark reality, the trajectory suggests the WNBA is on a path to reach similar financial heights as the NBA.
The New Financial Powerhouses of the WNBA
The rise of the league is embodied by its superstar athletes, who have mastered the art of brand building.
Caitlin Clark stands at the forefront of this change. According to Forbes, her net worth is estimated at $12.1 million. Astonishingly, $12 million of that comes from off-court deals, dwarfing her rookie salary of $78,000. After being the first overall pick in the 2024 draft, Clark signed a landmark 8-year, $28 million contract with Nike, which includes her own signature shoe. Her portfolio also includes major deals with State Farm, Gatorade, and Wilson.
Sabrina Ionescu ranks #13 on Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid female athletes with a $10.5 million empire. Her wealth is anchored by the wild success of her Nike signature sneakers, the Sabrina 1 and Sabrina 2, which have even been spotted on NBA stars. Her multi-year deal with Nike, signed in 2020, is worth $24 million.
Angel Reese, who humorously noted her WNBA salary "don't pay my bills at all," proves the power of branding. While on a 4-year contract worth $324,383, her net worth is estimated at $9.4 million. Her deals with Reebok (under Shaquille O'Neal's leadership), Hershey's, Cash App, McDonald's, and Beats by Dre showcase how social media influence translates to serious revenue.
Building Empires Beyond the Court
The trend extends across the league's brightest talents.
Paige Bueckers, the 2025 first overall draft pick and Rookie of the Year, has an estimated net worth of $9.1 million. Her marketability has landed her partnerships with Unrivaled, Nike, Gatorade, Dunkin', Bose, and Crocs, cementing her status as a marketing powerhouse.
Veteran Breanna Stewart ("Stewie") supplements her $208,400 salary with a lucrative signature line with Puma, valued at roughly $5 million. Her "Stewie" brand has become a staple in basketball culture.
Brittney Griner, with a net worth of $5 million, saw her marketability surge domestically after moving to the Atlanta Dream in 2025. Her historic career and deals with Nike, Gatorade, and T-Mobile solidify her as a global icon.
The narrative has irrevocably shifted. The question is no longer whether WNBA players can make a living. In 2025, they are demonstrating how to build financial empires and enduring legacies, fundamentally changing the business of women's sports.
