Who is the highest paid WNBA player? A ranked top 10 list

Who is the highest paid WNBA player? A ranked top 10 list

Kevin Omuya
May 10, 2023 at 5:39 PM

Who is the highest-paid WNBA player? The Women's National Basketball Association is a professional basketball league in the US featuring some of the world's most talented and dedicated female athletes. While the salaries of WNBA players have historically been lower than those of their male counterparts in the NBA, significant strides have been made in recent years to increase player compensation and narrow the gender pay gap.

Highest paid WNBA player
DeWanna Bonner #24 of the Connecticut Sun drives against Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces during their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 02, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Ethan Miller
Source: Getty Images

Not all WNBA players earn high salaries or have the same earning potential. The highest and lowest-paid players can vary significantly, with some earning only a fraction of the top earners. However, the league has made significant strides to improve player compensation and create more equitable pay structures in recent years.

How much does the highest-paid WNBA player make?

Player salaries in professional sports can change over time due to various factors such as new collective bargaining agreements, individual contracts, and changes in the league's financial landscape. As of 2023, this list of the richest WNBA players represents the value of the sport.

10. A'ja Wilson

Highest paid WNBA player ever
United States A'ja Wilson during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball Semi-Final matches between Canada and USA at Sydney Superdome, on September 30, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Steve Christo
Source: Getty Images

She is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). In 2018, Wilson was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces, and she quickly became one of the league's top players.

As of 2023, A'ja Wilson is among the highest-paid, earning an estimated $185,000 in the 2021 season. She is known for her athleticism, scoring ability, and leadership on and off the court. Wilson has won numerous awards throughout her career, including the WNBA MVP award in 2020 and the WNBA Rookie of the Year award in 2018. Additionally, she has represented the United States in international competitions and won a gold medal at the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

9. Sue Bird

Highest paid WNBA player salary
Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on September 6, 2022, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Ned Dishman
Source: Getty Images

She plays for the Seattle Storm. As of 2023, Sue Bird is among the highest-paid in, earning an estimated $215,000 in the 2021 season. She has also signed several lucrative endorsement deals and is considered one of the most influential women's basketball players ever.

Bird has won four WNBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, and numerous All-Star and All-WNBA selections. She is also a vocal advocate for social justice and equality and has been recognised for her philanthropic work.

8. Diana Taurasi

Highest paid WNBA player net worth
Diana Taurasi, #3 of the Phoenix Mercury, prepares to shoot a free throw against the Los Angeles Sparks on July 28, 2022, at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Kate Frese
Source: Getty Images

She is an American professional basketball player representing the Phoenix Mercury. She has won three WNBA championships, three WNBA MVP awards, and several All-Star and All-WNBA selections. Taurasi also holds several WNBA records, including the record for most career points scored and the record for most career three-pointers made.

As of 2023, her earning is estimated at $221,045 in the 2021 season. She has also signed several lucrative endorsement deals and is considered among the highest-paid WNBA players ever. Taurasi is known for her fierce competitiveness, leadership, and dedication to the game and is expected to continue to be a dominant force in the WNBA for many years.

7. Natasha Howard

How much does the highest paid WNBA player make?
Natasha Howard of the USA Women's Basketball Team smiles during practice on September 6, 2022, at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: David Becker
Source: Getty Images

In 2023, Natasha Howard is anticipated to make $224,675 from her play. Howard played 35 games and averaged 15.1 PPG, 2.3 APG, and 7.3 RPG for the New York Liberty in 2022. We'll have to wait and watch how the upcoming season goes for Howard with her new team after she was traded to the Dallas Wings in January 2023.

6. Elena Delle Donne

Highest paid WNBA player all time
Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics reacts against the Seattle Storm during the second quarter in Round 1 Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on August 21, 2022, in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Steph Chambers
Source: Getty Images

Following a strenuous championship victory, Elena Delle Donne, the recipient of the 2019 WNBA Most Valuable Player award, renewed her contract with the Washington Mystics during the 2020 offseason, securing a supermax deal that ranks among the most lucrative contracts for a WNBA player.

In 2021, Delle Donne received a revised supermax base salary of $221,450. During the year 2022, Delle Donne received a total compensation of $227,900 for the services rendered, and it is anticipated that she will earn $234,500 in the current year. With a net worth of $400,000, she ranks among the most affluent players in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

5. Skylar Diggins

Highest paid WNBA player net worth
Skylar Diggins-Smith of the Phoenix Mercury prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Seattle Storm on July 22, 2022, at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Barry Gossage
Source: Getty Images

In February 2020, a four-year supermax contract was signed by point guard Diggins-Smith with the Mercury as a result of a sign-and-trade agreement between Phoenix and Dallas, where she was previously designated as a core player.

Taurasi's earnings ranked fourth among her team members in the previous year, and she received compensation approximately 35% lower than that of Bria Hartley, who served as the sixth woman. She is anticipated to receive a total payment of 224,870, considering her current status as an All-Star and her impending second childbirth. Currently, the individual's situation remains ambiguous.

4. DeWanna Bonner

Highest paid WNBA player overseas
DeWanna Bonner of the Connecticut Sun dribbles downcourt during game four of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 18, 2022, in Uncasville, Connecticut. Photo: Maddie Meyer
Source: Getty Images

DeWanna Bonner, a former forward for the Mercury, was designated as a core player by the team for the maximum allowable number of times, which led to her eventual pursuit of a new group. Bonner was signed and traded to the Connecticut Sun in February 2020, rendering her eligible for supermax earnings with the team—Bonner's expected earnings for this particular season amount to $224,870.

3. Jewell Loyd

Highest paid WNBA player per year
United States Jewell Loyd passes the ball during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Group A match between the United States and Korea at Sydney Superdome, on September 26, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Steve Christo
Source: Getty Images

She is currently affiliated with the Seattle Storm team within the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Jewell Loyd, a prominent guard in the WNBA, attained the status of the highest-paid player in the league after her re-signing with the Seattle Storm ahead of the 2021 season.

During the previous offseason, the individual entered into a contractual agreement for two years, with a total value of $463,030. This agreement stipulated an annual salary of $231,515 for the individual. In 2015, she was awarded the Rookie of the Year title, and has since been selected to the All-Star team on four occasions. Additionally, her significant contributions were instrumental in securing two of Seattle's four WNBA championship victories in 2018 and 2020.

Loyd's statistical performance during the previous season included an average of 17.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals, resulting in being recognised with All-WNBA First team accolades.

2. Arike Ogunbowale

Highest paid WNBA player per year
Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings looks on during the 2022 WNBA MTN DEW 3-Pt Contest as part of the 2022 WNBA All-Star Weekend on July 9, 2022, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Stephen Gosling
Source: Getty Images

With $241,984, she is the highest-earning player overseas. American basketball player Ogunbowale was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 2, 1997. The Dallas Wings selected the Notre Dame graduate fifth overall in the 2019 Women's National Basketball Association draft.

Arike Ogunbowale is forecast to earn $241,984 in 2023, placing second. The Dallas Wings player averaged 19.7 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in 30 games in 2022. We are excited for the fantastic sister's 2023 season.

1. Jackie Young

Highest paid WNBA player net worth
Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against the Seattle Storm during Round 2 Game 3 of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs on September 4, 2022, at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Ned Dishman
Source: Getty Images

She is a WNBA star for the Las Vegas Aces and represents the United States on the basketball court. The Las Vegas Aces choose Young with the first overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft. In her first season with the Aces, she started all 34 games and contributed 6.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest. The Aces also made the postseason that year thanks to her efforts.

Jackie Young will earn $252,540 in 2023, making her the highest-paid WNBA player. The active 25-year-old has been revelling in the Las Vegas Aces' championship win, which capped up a stellar year for Young, during which she was picked to the WNBA's All-Star team for the first time honoured as the league's most improved player for the 2022 season.

Who is the highest-paid WNBA player of all time?

Australian basketball player Elizabeth Folake Cambage plays for Maccabi Bnot Ashdod in the Israeli Women's Basketball Premier League. The WNBA single-game scoring record is held by the highest-paid player in the league, who scored 53 points in a game against the New York Liberty on July 17, 2018.

Who is the highest-paid WNBA player? Reportedly, the highest-paid player is Jackie Young, with an estimated $252,540 earnings in the 2023 season. While data on the highest-paid WNBA player is limited, players have signed lucrative contracts contributing to their overall earnings and net worth. It is important to continue advocating for fair and equitable pay for all WNBA players and to recognise the value and dedication of these talented athletes.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.