• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 7, 2025

WNBA Players Not Reaping League’s Revenue Gains

  • Share of league revenue fell to less than 10% as their NBA counterparts get about half of revenues.
  • There has been talk of WNBA players opting out of their current CBA early.
WNBA
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The WNBA’s revenues have nearly doubled over the last four years, although the players’ share of that money has fallen during that span. 

The WNBA will pull in between $180 million to $200 million this year, according to Bloomberg, bolstered by a huge uptick in sponsorship dollars. The report also notes that league and team revenues were about $102 million in 2019. 

Last season the player’s share of revenue was 9.3% in fiscal 2022, a nearly 2% dip from 2019. This season, the minimum salary in the WNBA is $62,285 with the maximum set at $234,936.

Under the collective bargaining agreement ratified on Wednesday, NBA players are slated to receive about 51% of league revenues. The NBA’s new CBA kicks in this July and runs through the 2029-30 season.

WNBA players have to deal with prioritization rules built into their CBA even as several of the league’s players play overseas in leagues that pay more. That was highlighted when Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner spent 10 months in Russian custody after she arrived in February 2022 to play there. 

Change could be on the horizon. 

WNBA players could choose to opt out of the CBA — which runs through 2027 — after the 2025 season, potentially setting up a fight for a revenue split similar to what their NBA counterparts have had for decades. 

And ESPN’s deal — which tops out at a paltry $35 million per season — ends after the 2025 campaign. As ratings have surged, it’s expected the next TV deal will receive a significant bump.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN Ends Its Wild-Card Coverage With Historic TV Ratings

Wild-card viewership surges 64% to a record in the current format.
Napheesa Collier

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Cody Campbell

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Scott Foster

NBA Refs Testing Earpieces in Preseason Games

The technology won’t be used in the regular season yet.
Jul 19, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk (4) passes the ball in the second half of a preseason preparation soccer match against the Borussia Dortmund at Notre Dame.
October 6, 2025

Liverpool’s $598M Gamble Looks Pretty Average on the Pitch—So Far

Liverpool struggles after historic offseason spending and lofty expectations.
Soccer
October 6, 2025

UEFA ‘Reluctantly’ Approves LaLiga, Serie A Matches Abroad

The matches need final approval from FIFA.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
October 6, 2025

NFL London Fans Get Partial Refunds After Ticket App Glitches

Fans experienced delays entering the Vikings-Browns game.
October 5, 2025

Bad Bunny, U.S. Officials Trade Barbs Over Super Bowl Halftime Show

DHS Secretary Noem attacks the choice, while Bad Bunny responds on SNL.
Signs promoting the FIFA World Cup Final coming to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Wednesday Feb. 7, 2024. The World Cup is held every four years and the 2026 World Cup Final match will be played at MetLife Stadium.
October 3, 2025

High Ticket Prices Define First World Cup Presale

Most fans weren’t picked for the pricey first presale window.
[US, Mexico, & Canada customers only] Mar 16, 2025; Singapore, SINGAPORE; Joaquin Niemann in action during the final round of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club.
October 3, 2025

LIV Golf Lost $461M in Non-U.S. Operations in 2024

Public financial filings were released this week in the U.K.