Women's sports are finally getting the recognition they deserve, and the WNBA is at the forefront of this financial revolution. But here's where it gets controversial: are these salaries enough to truly reflect the value these athletes bring to the game? With skyrocketing TV ratings and sold-out arenas, the league's top stars are securing Supermax deals that, while not yet matching the NBA's nine-figure contracts, mark a significant victory for players who've transformed the WNBA into a global force. Let's dive into the top five most expensive active contracts in the WNBA as of the 2025–2026 season, and explore the stories behind these groundbreaking deals.
5. Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury)
Traded to the Mercury in 2024, Copper signed a two-year extension worth $490,118. Her 2025 base salary of $248,134 highlights her dual-threat capabilities as a dynamic scorer and tenacious defender. As the 2021 Finals MVP, Copper's contract underscores her status as one of the league's premier two-way players. Entering 2026 as an unrestricted free agent (UFA), her market value is expected to soar.
4. Jewell Loyd (Las Vegas Aces)
Loyd's 2025 blockbuster trade to the Aces didn't diminish her reputation as one of the league's deadliest scorers. Her two-year, $491,016 extension with the Storm in 2023 included a guaranteed $249,032 base salary for 2025. As she heads into 2026 as a UFA, her next contract is poised to make waves in the league's salary structure.
3. Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings)
Known as the clutch queen of Dallas, Ogunbowale's three-year, $725,000 supermax extension is a testament to her scoring prowess. Earning $249,032 in 2025, she enters free agency in 2026 with a resume that demands a substantial salary increase. But here's a thought: Is the league doing enough to retain its star players in an increasingly competitive sports landscape?
2. Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever)
Mitchell's 2025 one-year, $249,244 deal made her the highest-paid WNBA player at the time. Stepping up as a veteran leader after Caitlin Clark's injury, Mitchell proved her worth both on and off the court. Now a free agent, she's expected to secure an even larger contract for the upcoming season. And this is the part most people miss: How do we balance rewarding veteran players like Mitchell while also investing in the league's future stars?
1. Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces)
Jackie Young made history as the first WNBA player to surpass the $250,000 annual salary mark. Her two-year extension with the Aces, signed in 2022 and extended in 2024, set a new benchmark with a total contract value of $504,900. Dubbed the 'silent assassin' for her elite shooting and defense, Young's deal is now the standard in the 2026 CBA negotiations. But here's the real question: As the WNBA continues to grow, will these contracts keep pace with the league's rising global influence?
As we celebrate these milestones, it's crucial to ask: Are we doing enough to support women's basketball? Share your thoughts in the comments—do these salaries reflect the true value of these athletes, or is there still ground to cover?
