A’ja Wilson’s Record 4th MVP Sets Stage for Free Agency, CBA Standoff

Las Vegas Aces center-forward A’ja Wilson became the first player in league history to win four MVP awards when she was announced as this season’s recipient Sunday.

Wilson, 29, receives a specially designed trophy by Tiffany & Co., and a $15,450 bonus that’s equal to just more than 7.7% of her $200,000 salary this season, which is tied with four other players for the 19th-highest in the WNBA. Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, who finished fifth in MVP voting, is the league’s highest-paid player this year, earning $269,244.

Wilson and the Aces are matched up with Mitchell and the Fever in the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs; Indiana surprised most experts by winning Game 1 of the five-game series Sunday, 89–73.

Three other WNBA players had previously won three MVPs in their careers: Sheryl Swoopes (2000, 2002, and 2005), Lisa Leslie (2001, 2004, and 2006), and Lauren Jackson (2003, 2007, and 2010). Wilson, an eight-year pro, also won the award in 2020, 2022, and 2024.

Wilson Is Big Business

Last year, Wilson signed a six-year extension of her endorsement deal with Nike after winning her third WNBA MVP award. In May, her first signature shoe—the Nike A’One—sold out within minutes of being released online. Wilson also has a major endorsement deal with Gatorade.

After the playoffs end, Wilson will become an unrestricted free agent, with plenty of leverage to seek a massive raise—and potentially become the first WNBA player to sign a $1 million contract. Including her 2025 salary, Wilson’s career earnings in the WNBA sit at $1,031,642, which ranks 26th all-time.

However, as Wilson enters free agency, the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement is expiring, and it’s becoming increasingly likely that a new deal won’t be reached by the Oct. 31 deadline.