Highest Paid WNBA Players in 2024: Top Salaries and Earnings

This year has been filled with excitement in the world of professional women’s basketball. We witnessed Caitlin Clark, the highest scorer in NCAA history, being selected as the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft and having an instant influence. Furthermore, we observed Angel Reese, who was selected as the seventh overall pick, joining the Chicago Sky and sparking an instant rivalry with another team. 

Clark has been recognized for significantly boosting interest in women’s basketball at both the college and professional levels, earning her the nickname “the Caitlin Clark Effect.” It was somewhat unexpected to see her starting salary as a rookie being only $76,500, without factoring in income from marketing, sponsorship, and endorsements.

However, it’s not just Caitlin Clark; players like Angel Reese and Rickea Jackson are also making headlines with their talents and playing their part in the WNBA’s popularity surge. Overall, it has been expected that the level of the league is on its way to match the salaries of NBA players.

However, with such comparisons, the question often pops up about the compensation that the WNBA players are getting for their blood and sweat. It is not that much high in comparison to their NBA counterparts. However, the path the WNBA is moving on, they might catch up soon.

Nevertheless, despite all the disparities, WNBA players are earning much more than before. So, let’s take a sneak peek at the players who are topping the list of the highest-paid players in the WNBA. However, before we discuss the highest-paid WNBA players, we must get to know how their earning system is different from the NBA players.

What Is The Income System for the WNBA Players?

In contrast to NBA players who share revenue with their teams in a 50-50 split, WNBA players typically receive around 10% of their team’s earnings on average. 

Every WNBA team must also adhere to the salary cap set by the league, limiting the money they can use to recruit and compensate players. The current amount allocated per team is approximately $1.45 million. 

Every team has to allocate at least the figure, which is now approximately $1.2 million. If the minimum is not reached by the end of the regular season, they are required to compensate players with an extra salary until the requirement is fulfilled.

Now let’s get to know who are the top five players that are dominating these highest-paid charts in WNBA through this system.

Who Are the Top 5 Highest Paid WNBA Players in 2024?

The typical salary for WNBA players is around $150,000 per year, whereas NBA players’ average salary is about $10 million, according to Sporting News. However, with the arrival of newcomers like Caitlin Clark, the fame has more viewership, eventually aiding in the robust revenue models. Nevertheless, for now, the following five highest-paid WNBA players can expect great things ahead as the league holds more credibility and attention from basketball fanatics.

Jackie Young- $252,450

Jackie Young is at the top of the list of the highest-paid WNBA players. Selected in 2019, Jackie Young, a shooting guard for the Las Vegas Aces, was said to have started the 2024 season with an average annual salary of $252,450. The U.S. team emerged victorious in the Women’s 3×3 basketball tournament with the assistance of the 2020 Olympic gold medalist.

In 2024, Jackie was under a two-year extension that she signed in 2023. Here is a breakdown of her 2024 contract.

First Extension (2022-2025)

• Duration: 2 years
• Total Value: $504,900
• Average Annual Salary: $252,450
• Base Salary Breakdown:
  • 2022: $72,141
  • 2023: $165,000
  • 2024: $169,950
  • 2025: $169,950

Second Extension (2025-26)

• Duration: 1 year
• Total Value: $169,950
• Base Salary: $169,950

Key Salary Figures

• Career Earnings: $577,697 (as of 2024)1
• Cap Hit: $169,950 (for 2024 and 2025)1
• Dead Cap Value: $169,950 (for 2025)1
• Unrestricted Free Agent: 2026

Also Read: 10 Best WNBA Dunks of All Time

Jewell Loyd- $245,508

Jewell Loyd, the Seattle Storm combo guard known as the “Gold Mamba,” was mentored by the legendary Kobe Bryant before his passing. After being drafted in 2015, Jewell promptly gained the Rookie of the Year title. Besides the WNBA, she also tours internationally for professional games in Spain, Turkey, China, and South Korea. Similar to others mentioned, Loyd has achieved gold medals representing the USA at the Olympic level. A genuine standout athlete, Loyd achieved victories in both 2020 and 2024. Reportedly, her 2024 base salary is $245,508.

Current Contract (2024-2026)

• Duration: 2 years
• Total Value: $491,016
• Average Annual Salary: $245,508
• Base Salary Breakdown:
  • 2024: $241,984
  • 2025: $249,032

Key Salary Figures

• Career Earnings: $821,530 (as of 2024)1
• Cap Hit: $241,984 (for 2024)
• Dead Cap Value: $241,984 (for 2025)
• Unrestricted Free Agent: 2026

Kahleah Copper- $245,059

Kahleah Copper recently started playing for the Phoenix Mercury this season following her time with the Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics. She is not only recognized as one of the highest-paid WNBA players but also as an Olympic champion. In 2024, Kahleah Copper won her first gold medal for the USA at the Paris Olympics, marking the country’s eighth consecutive medal streak. Copper also achieved the 2021 WNBA Finals MVP honor. This year, she is rumored to earn $245,059 in salary.

Current Contract (2024-2026)

• Duration: 2 years
• Total Value: $490,118
• Average Annual Salary: $245,059
• Base Salary Breakdown:
  • 2024: $241,984
  • 2025: $248,134

Key Salary Figures

• Career Earnings: $847,270 (as of 2024)
• Cap Hit: $241,984 (for 2024)
• Dead Cap Value: $241,984 (for 2025)
• Unrestricted Free Agent: 2026

Arike Ogunobwale- $245,059

Arike Ogunbowale, the guard, is the sibling of Houston Texans’ running back Dare Ogunbowale. In 2019, the Wings selected Ogunbowale to join their team, and she continues to be a part of the squad. Renowned for her ability to score, Ogunbowale finished the 2020 season as the top scorer in the league, averaging 22.8 points per game. Her ability has resulted in her earning a salary of $241,984 this year.

Current Contract (2023-2025)

• Duration: 3 years
• Total Value: $725,952
• Average Annual Salary: $241,984
• Base Salary Breakdown:
  • 2023: $234,936
  • 2024: $241,984
  • 2025: $249,032

Key Salary Figures

• Career Earnings: $713,770 (as of 2024)
• Cap Hit: $241,984 (for 2024)
• Dead Cap Value: $249,032 (for 2025)
• Unrestricted Free Agent: 2026

Diana Taurasi- $234,936

Another WNBA top earner, Diana Taurasi, was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2004. She began her professional career playing forward, though she primarily focuses on guarding. Taurasi participated on five WNBA All-Star teams between 2005 and 2011, breaking scoring records during this period. Now in her 20th season, Taurasi does not plan on retiring anytime soon. As one of the highest-paid WNBA players, her 2024 salary sits at $234,936.

Current Contract (2023-2025)

• Duration: 2 years
• Total Value: $469,872
• Average Annual Salary: $234,936
• Base Salary Breakdown:
  • 2023: $234,936
  • 2024: $234,936

Key Salary Figures

• Career Earnings: $1,385,416 (as of 2024)
• Cap Hit: $234,936 (for 2024)
• Dead Cap Value: $234,936 (for 2025)
• Unrestricted Free Agent: 2025

Conclusion

This proves the all-step advancement of the league and enhanced popularity of its players. The five highest-paid WNBA players not only shine on the basketball field but also financially, with big cheques and sponsorships speaking for their worth. The enhancement in salaries of the players in the league is soon going to enhance the position of the WNBA in professional sports.

Also Read: Angel Reese’s Net Worth, Salary, Family and WNBA Stats

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