With $100 million media rights deals looming, the best WNBA players will earn higher salaries that reflect their growing impact.
Even before the expected increase in salaries, top centers currently are earning over $200K to be a force in the middle of the floor.
The highest-paid WNBA center is Brionna Jones, who earns $212K annually. She signed a 1-year contract in February to extend her stay with the Sun. Jones was drafted by Connecticut in 2017 and has spent her entire career there.
She has netted $618K in salary during her time with the Sun.
Second to Jones is the Aces’ A’ja Wilson, who makes $200K as their star player. She extended her contract with Las Vegas in 2023 in a 2-year deal worth $400K. Wilson was the Aces’ number 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft.
Wilson and Jones are the only players on the list to earn at least $200K
Third on the list is Teaira McCowan at $195.7K. The Wings center signed a 3-year contract extension in 2023 worth $587.1K.
She’s increased her earnings by over $150K over the past year. McCowan made just $42.1K on her rookie deal with the Fever before signing with Dallas.
Stefanie Dolson of the Mystics earns $175K taking the fourth spot. She’s in her first year of a 2-year contract worth $345K. Dolson played in Chicago and New York before her move back to Washington where she started her career.
Dolson’s $903K in career earnings is the most among the top five highest-paid centers.
Fifth on the list is Mercedes Russell of the Storm. She’s earning $160K annually through a 3-year contract extension. Russell signed with Seattle in 2022 for $480K after becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Ranking The Highest-Paid Centers in the WNBA
Below is the entire list of the highest-paid WNBA centers. The list was compiled with data from Spotrac.
- Updated: June 10, 2024
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Brionna Jones | Connecticut Sun | $212K |
| 2 | A’ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces | $200K |
| 3 | Teaira McCowan | Dallas Wings | $195.7K |
| 4 | Stefanie Dolson | Washington Mystics | $175K |
| 5 | Mercedes Russell | Seattle Storm | $160K |
| 6 | Ezi Magbegor | Seattle Storm | $155K |
| 7 | Brittney Griner | Phoenix Mercury | $150K |
| 8 | Elizabeth Williams | Chicago Sky | $135K |
| 9 | Tina Charles | Atlanta Dream | $130K |
| T-10 | Astou Ndour | Connecticut Sun | $125K |
| T-10 | Kalani Brown | Dallas Wings | $125K |
| 12 | Kiah Stokes | Las Vegas Aces | $100K |
| 13 | Shakira Austin | Washington Mystics | $80.9K |
| T-14 | Kamilla Cardoso | Chicago Sky | $76.5K |
| T-14 | Stephanie Soares | Dallas Wings | $76.5K |
| T-14 | Temi Fagbenle | Indiana Fever | $76.5K |
| 17 | Laeticia Amihere | Atlanta Dream | $72.7K |
| 18 | Li Yueru | Los Angeles Sparks | $64.7K |
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