The WNBA’s All-Star reserves were announced on Sunday, with the Storm’s Skylar Diggins and the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas headlining the group set to join the league’s 10 starters in Indiana later this month.
Each player will receive a $2,575 bonus for their participation, regardless of whether they are a starter or a reserve or if their team wins the exhibition game on July 19. The All-Star MVP earns a $5,150 bonus in addition to the amount earned for their selection. The winners of the All-Star 3-point and skills competitions also receive a payout of $2,575 from the league.
Last year, Aflac announced a partnership with the players union to provide a $55,000 boost to the All-Star bonuses for winners of the individual competitions. Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray won both competitions in 2024 and went home with $115,150 in bonuses from Aflac and the league. Her 2024 salary was $185,000.
The insurance company extended its partnership with the WNBPA for the 2025 All-Star game, raising its overall purse from $110,000 to $115,000. The winner of the 3-point contest is set to receive $60,000, while the winner of the skills competition will receive $55,000.
The WNBA’s All-Star bonus is 2.10% of the league’s average salary, which is $117,133 according to a report from The Athletic. By comparison, the NBA’s All-Star bonus—which changed this year with the league’s new format—saw players earn $125,000 if they were on the winning team. This was 1.35% of the league’s average salary for the 2024-25 season, which was $9,191,285. The runners-up earned $50,000 apiece, and the two teams that missed the final earned $25,000 per player.
“There’s room for reconstruction,” WNBPA President and 10-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike said. “[All-Star bonuses] are another component of the salary and compensation in terms of performance bonuses. What we’re looking to do is not just have a percentage of a higher salary. We’re looking for a revenue share that is reflective across the board for all players. So, as an All-Star, I definitely know, feel, and expect to be able to be rewarded in a much better way.”
The WNBPA is in the midst of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement after opting out of the last CBA in October. At the top of the players’ pursuits in negotiations are improvements to the revenue-sharing model and increased salaries.
The union rejected the league’s first proposal, which they received in June. Phoenix Mercury forward and three-time All-Star Satou Sabally described it as “a slap in the face.” Both sides have a scheduled meeting during All-Star weekend in Indianapolis.
The deadline for both parties to reach a new agreement is October 31.
