In this post, we’ll present the 50 highest WNBA salaries list and talk a bit about the salary gap between WNBA and NBA. It’s not a novelty it’s is huge. As a matter of fact, the average WNBA salary does not reach $100,000. That represents around 1.5% of the average NBA salary, which goes beyond $7 million. According to specialists, this disparity is mainly due to the fact that the WNBA revenue represents a fraction of the one produced by the NBA.
However, the problem goes a little deeper. While, up until 2020, WNBA players were being paid around 20% of the WNBA league revenues, NBA players were paid over 50% of the NBA league revenues. The following chart will help you understand how much various leagues are paying their players as opposed to the revenues they make.
Luckily, in January 2020, WNBA and WNBPA reached an agreement on a new CBA (i.e. Collective Bargaining Agreement). It is worth highlighting the 53% increase in total cash compensations, including base salary, performance bonuses, prize pools, and additional league and team marketing deals.
It is also common knowledge that the agents that negotiate on the behalf of the players also play a crucial role in obtaining fair monetary compensation for the efforts and worth of the represented player.
Today’s article will focus on the highest WNBA yearly salaries, leaving aside additional earnings as a consequence of personal and/or team achievement bonuses, endorsement deals, or overseas contracts. Let’s take a look…
Table of Contents
The Top 50 Highest WNBA Salaries List in 2021
1. Skylar Diggins-Smith (PHX) – $221,450
2. Brittney Griner (PHX) – $221,450
3. Diana Taurasi (PHX) – $221,450
4. Liz Cambage (LV) – $221,450
5. Sue Bird (SEA) – $221,450
6. Elena Delle Donne (WAS) – $221,450
7. DeWanna Bonner (CON) – $221,450
8. Natasha Howard (NY) – $215,000
9. Betnijah Laney (NY) – $209,550
10. Courtney Vandersloot (CHI) – $200,000
11. Alyssa Thomas (CON) – $200,000
12. Allie Quigley (CHI) – $194,000
13. Bria Hartley (PHX) – $190,550
14. Chelsea Gray (LV) – $190,550
15. Nneka Ogwumike (LA) – $190,550
16. Kristi Toliver (LA) – $190,550
17. Kayla McBride (MIN) – $190,550
18. Aerial Powers (MIN) – $190,550
19. Courtney Williams (ATL) – $190,500
20. Angel McCoughtry (LV) – $190,500
21. Breanna Stewart (SEA) – $190,500
22. Jonquel Jones (CON) – $190,500
23. Candace Parker (CHI) – $190,000
24. Natasha Cloud (WAS) – $190,000
25. Cheyenne Parker (ATL) – $185,000
26. Jasmine Thomas (CON) – $185,000
27. Erica Wheeler (LA) – $180,000
28. Shekinna Stricklen (ATL) – $175,100
29. Moriah Jefferson (DAL) – $175,100
30. Jantel Lavender (IND) – $175,000
31. Kelsey Plum (LV) – $175,000
32. Stefanie Dolson (CHI) – $175,000
33. Tina Charles (WAS) – $175,000
34. Kahleah Copper (CHI) – $165,000
35. Natalie Achonwa (MIN) – $164,500
36. Allisha Gray (DAL) – $160,000
37. Danielle Robinson (IND) – $155,000
38. Isabelle Harrison (DAL) – $154,500
39. Dearica Hamby (LV) – $152,300
40. Sami Whitcomb (NY) – $150,350
41. Jessica Breland (IND) – $145,000
42. Tiffany Mitchell (IND) – $144,200
43.Tianna Hawkins (ATL) – $140,000
44. Amanda Zahui B (LA) – $135,000
45. Damiris Dantas (MIN) – $126,000
46. Leilani Mitchell (WAS) -$123,500
47. Jewell Loyd (SEA) – $121,500
48. Briann January (CON) – $121,500
49. Brionna Jones (CON) – $120,000
50. Tiffany Hayes (ATL) – $119,780
Final Lines
Will we get to see the gap salary between the NBA and the WNBA reduced over the coming years? Could investing in the marketing of WNBA players be the solution?
According to The Sports Scientists, improving management and marketing, extending the WNBA season, and restructuring the existing revenue-sharing model are some of the possible solutions that would alleviate the salary gap between the WNBA and the NBA.
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