• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 25, 2026

The 25 Highest-Paid WNBA Players

  • Jackie Young is the highest-paid WNBA player.
  • Three Mercury stars occupy spots in the top ten.
Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Equal pay in sports has been a prominent conversation for some time, particularly when comparing the disparities between the salaries of NBA and WNBA players. Despite the growing popularity and success of the WNBA, the salary gap between NBA and WNBA players remains significant.

Las Vegas Aces two-time WNBA champion Jackie Young leads the charge as the highest-paid WNBA player. Young earns $252,450 annually after signing a two-year, $504,900 contract extension with the Aces.

Following Young in the second spot is Indiana Fever star, Kelsey Mitchell, making $249,244 per year. Trailing Mitchell is Jewell Loyd making $245,508. Loyd was traded in a three-team deal that sent her to Las Vegas.

Holding the fourth spot is Mercury veteran Kahleah Copper making 245,059 annually. Capping off the top five is Wings’ rising star Arike Ogunbowale, making $241,984 per year.

After a historic rookie season, Caitlin Clark will make $76,000 as part of her rookie contract. This figure would establish her as the 96th highest-paid WNBA player.

The Top Earners

Here is the full list of the 25 highest-paid WNBA point guards by average salary. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.

  • Updated: February 20th, 2025
RankPlayerTeamCompensation
1Jackie YoungLas Vegas Aces$252,450
2Kelsey MitchellIndiana Fever$249,244
3Jewell LoydSeattle Storm$245,508
4Kahleah CopperPhoenix Mercury$245,059
5Arike OgunbowaleDallas Wings$241,984
6Gabby WilliamsSeattle Storm$225,000
T-7Alyssa ThomasPhoenix Mercury$215,000
T-7Satou SaballyPhoenix Mercury$215,000
9Natasha HowardIndiana Fever$214,666
T-10Brionna JonesAtlanta Dream$214,466
T-10Brittney GrinerAtlanta Dream$214,466
12Skylar Diggins-SmithSeattle Storm$211,343
13Marina MabreyConnecticut Sun$206,667
14Kayla McBrideMinnesota Lynx$206,500
15Sabrina IonescuNew York Liberty$205,030
16Misha Hines-AllenDallas Wings$203,000
T-17Dearica HambyLos Angeles Sparks$202,000
T-17Kelsey PlumLos Angeles Sparks$202,000
T-19Tiffany HayesGolden State Valkyries$200,000
T-19A’ja WilsonLas Vegas Aces$200,000
T-19DeWanna BonnerIndiana Fever$200,000
T-19Ariel AtkinsWashington Mystics$200,000
T-19Natasha CloudConnecticut Sun$200,000
T-19DiJonai CarringtonDallas Wings$200,000
25Chelsea GrayLas Vegas Aces$196,267

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Inside the WNBA’s Proposed New Economic System: Bigger Share for Stars, Less..

Roster construction will be very different when the league returns.

Injury-Riddled NBA MVP Race Won’t Shake Up Teams’ Books

Multiple stars are in jeopardy of being ineligible for MVP. 
exclusive

WNBA Team Hires Reporter From Athletic for Front Office Role

Ben Pickman will be a cap and strategy analyst for the Fire.

Featured Today

[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Feb 10, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy; Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States during the curling mixed doubles gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium
February 20, 2026

Curling Clubs Are Swept Up in Olympics Fever. Can It Last?

Every four years, organizations field an influx of curling-curious patrons.
Max Valverde by Ron Winsett
February 17, 2026

How Ski Mountaineering’s Hype Man Went From TikTok to NBC

Max Valverde’s gushing over the niche sport vaulted him to Olympic broadcaster.
Feb 11, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Jaelin Kauf of the United States during freestyle skiing women's moguls final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park
February 13, 2026

The Surprise Hit of the Winter Olympics: First-Person Drone Views

Tiny drone cameras have reshaped the Olympics viewing experience.
Jack Draper

Indian Wells Triples the Prize Money for Mixed Doubles

The ‘Fifth Slam’ is leaning into the mixed doubles trend.
February 23, 2026

Mexican Soccer Postponed Amid Violence With World Cup Months Away

Tennis and UFC events will continue as planned.
February 23, 2026

Serena Williams Now Eligible to Play But ‘No Word’ on Indian Wells..

Her sister, Venus, will play at the BNP Paribas Open.
Sponsored

From USWNT Star to NWSL Franchise Founder

Leslie Osborne, former USWNT midfielder, shares how athletes are moving from the pitch to the ownership table.
Anthony Kim
February 20, 2026

Inside Anthony Kim’s Chaotic Path to Stunning Victory at LIV Golf

Anthony Kim joined the 4Aces after Patrick Reed abruptly left LIV.
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stripes forward Jaylen Brown (7) of the Boston Celtics shoots against Team USA Stars guard Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
February 19, 2026

Beverly Hills Apologizes to Jaylen Brown Over All-Star Fiasco

Brown released a statement following the city’s apology.
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; eam World forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on in-between games during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.
February 19, 2026

How Alexis Ohanian Became Giannis’s Sports Investment Whisperer

“It all started with a DM from Thanasis,” Ohanian tells FOS.
Aryna Sabalenka
February 18, 2026

Tennis’s Brutal Schedule Comes to a Head in Dubai As Dozens Drop..

Some stars appear to have found a loophole in WTA rules.