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The WNBA has reportedly put forward a fresh proposal in its collective bargaining negotiations that would raise the maximum base salary for players on top contracts to $1 million.
Under this proposal, total compensation for max-salary players could top $1.2 million once revenue-sharing bonuses are taken into account.
The plan also includes generous increases across the board:
- The minimum salary would rise to at least $225,000 in 2026.
- The average player salary is projected to exceed $500,000.
- The team salary cap would jump to $5 million — up significantly from 2025’s cap of about $1.5 million — and would be structured to grow with league revenue in future years.
That said, critics warn the headline $1 million (or more) figure may be somewhat misleading: the higher totals depend on performance and revenue-sharing triggers rather than being guaranteed up front.
