Largest WNBA Contract Ever Signed
The largest WNBA contract in history belongs to A'ja Wilson, who signed an eight-year extension with the Las Vegas Aces in 2024 worth up to $24.6 million, making her the highest-paid player in league history. The deal, reported by ESPN and confirmed by the Aces organization, includes guaranteed money and incentives that push her average annual salary well above the previous record holder, Breanna Stewart.
Before Wilson's extension, the previous record was held by Breanna Stewart, who signed a four-year, $22.4 million contract with the New York Liberty in 2023, as covered by ESPN and The Athletic. Stewart's deal set a new benchmark for average annual salary, but Wilson's longer term and higher total value now surpass it, reflecting the rapid growth of the league's salary cap under the latest collective bargaining agreement.
How the New CBA Changed Maximum Pay
The 2023 WNBA collective bargaining agreement introduced a higher salary cap and a new maximum player salary tier, allowing top stars to earn significantly more than in previous seasons. Under the new rules, the maximum salary for a player with six or more years of experience is set at approximately 20% of the team's salary cap, which has risen to $1.4 million per player in the 2024 season, according to official WNBA documents and reporting by ESPN.
The CBA also created a "supermax" tier for players who meet specific criteria, such as being named to multiple All-WNBA teams or winning league MVP awards. A'ja Wilson qualified for this tier, which is why her contract with the Aces carries a higher annual value than the standard maximum, as explained in detailed breakdowns by ESPN and The Athletic.
Comparison of Top WNBA Contracts
A'ja Wilson's $24.6 million deal ranks first, followed by Breanna Stewart's $22.4 million contract, and then Caitlin Clark's rookie maximum deal with the Indiana Fever, which starts at approximately $76,000 in base salary for 2024 and scales up under the rookie scale. Clark's contract, while not yet the largest in total value, has generated massive interest and is expected to increase in value as she progresses through her rookie deal, per reporting by ESPN and The Athletic.
Other top earners in the league include Natasha Cloud, who signed a multi-year deal with the Phoenix Mercury, and Kelsey Plum, who inked an extension with the Las Vegas Aces. These contracts illustrate how the new CBA has redistributed more revenue toward elite players, with the top eight WNBA salaries now exceeding $3 million per year on average, according to data from ESPN and official WNBA salary filings.
Why A'ja Wilson's Deal Stands Out
Wilson's contract stands out not only for its total value but also for its length, spanning eight seasons and providing long-term financial security. The deal includes performance incentives tied to All-WNBA selections, MVP awards, and championship wins, which can push the total compensation even higher, as detailed in reporting by ESPN and The Athletic.
The Aces' decision to invest heavily in Wilson reflects her on-court dominance, including multiple MVP awards and a championship, as well as the league's broader strategy to retain its biggest stars. With the WNBA's revenue growing and media deals expanding, contracts like Wilson's are expected to set the standard for future supermax deals, as noted in analysis by ESPN and The Athletic.
Where to Find Official Contract Details
For the latest official contract figures and salary cap information, fans and analysts can refer to the WNBA's official website and ESPN's dedicated WNBA salary section, which regularly update player contracts