Since its founding in 1996, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has experienced tremendous change and grown a great deal in popularity. Professional female athletes who are gifted, attractive, and physically fit are becoming just as well-known as their male counterparts and are landing big brand agreements and sponsorships. Even while the salary has been rising recently, it still pales in comparison to what NBA players make. However, the players are guaranteed a sizable boost under the terms of the new eight-year collective bargaining agreement signed in January 2020. Who will earn the most money in the WNBA in 2021?
The salary cap was raised in the WNBA players’ collective bargaining agreement, paving the way for more big contracts in the upcoming years. The league has stabilized over its 25-year history, but big changes are anticipated to bring it up to the men’s league level. Who is the highest paid player in the WNBA?
1. Liz Cambage (Las Vegas Aces) – $500,000
The Las Vegas Aces’ Liz Cambage is arguably the highest-paid WNBA player of all time. Among the most well-known detractors of the league is the Australian. She frequently criticizes the NBA’s salary inequality and pushes for players to be treated more fairly, similar to those in Asia and Europe.
She is anticipated to make over $500,000. This is in accordance with the current WNBA contract, which includes a 53 percent increase in the overall financial compensation for players. With her 53-point performance against the New York Liberty in July 2018, Liz now holds the WNBA single-game scoring record.
2. Elena Delle Donne (Washington Mystics) – $221,450
Playing for the Washington Mystics is Elena Delle. She and the team agreed to a four-year, $899,480 contract, which includes a $224,870 compensation for 2021. The compensation has a $221,450 cap hit. The 31-year-old female professional basketball player was appointed a Special Olympics ambassador in 2014.
In addition, Ellena became the first player in WNBA history to join the 50-40-90 club and earned two WNBA Most Valuable Player Awards (in 2015 and 2019). She has only participated in the regular basketball season in the United States; she has not played much professionally elsewhere.
3. DeWanna Bonner(Connecticut Sun) – $215,000
One of the best WNBA players, DeWanna Bonner played for the Phoenix Mercury for ten seasons. She became a WNBA superstar during this period, displaying excellent basketball skills.
She was able to sign with any team as an unrestricted free agent, and she currently plays for the Connecticut Sun. Bonner signed a sign-and-trade agreement to join the Phoenix. The team could no longer designate her as a core play because she had been cored the maximum four times allowed by the league.
4. Emma Meesseman (Washington Mystics) – $215,000
Emma Meesseman, who is a player with the Washington Mystics right now, makes about $215,000. In the offseason, she inked a one-year contract with the Mystics, which greatly raised her salary. The Mystics selected her with the 19th overall choice in the second round of the 2013 WNBA draft, making her a professional basketball player from Belgium. Emma, who is 27 years old, is in her prime and will probably continue to be one of the most valuable frontcourt players in the WNBA in terms of salary.
5. Skylar Diggins-Smith (Phoenix Mercury) – $215,000
Skilled American professional basketball player Skylar Diggins-Smith is a member of the Phoenix Mercury WNBA team. In the 2013 WNBA draft, the Tulsa Shock selected her third overall. Skylar Diggins-Smith was a McDonald’s All-American, the National Gatorade Player of the Year, and the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year during her high school career. Diggins currently holds a four-year contract for the new league maximum after being acquired by the Phoenix Mercury through a sign-and-trade. As a result, she has the largest WNBA contract in the league when compared to other players of her caliber. She is paid the highest possible amount of $215,000.
6. Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury) – $215,000
Center In January 2020, the Phoenix Mercury designated Brittney Griner as a core player. Under her multiyear contract with the team, she has been receiving a base salary of $215,000.
Under a four-year contract, the 29-year-old has now committed to the squad along with other talented players like Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Griner, who joined the Phoenix Mercury in 2014 and 2019, has been a crucial member of the club. She competed for the United States of America in the 2016 Olympics and won a gold medal.
7. Sue Bird (Seattle Storm) – $215,000
Sue Bird has joined the elite group of female players in the WNBA who earn the highest salary. She is one of the league’s most seasoned players and one of the fiercest because she does a good job in her duty. Sue did not participate in the 2019 season due to knee surgery. She has played WNBA with the Seattle Storm for over 17 years, and her salary is the maximum at $215,000. Sue continued to work with the group that assured her of receiving the sum as her average yearly income. In the WNBA, Bird has performed admirably and looks to be ageless. She is among the highest-paid WNBA players as a result.
8. Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky) – $203,000
American-Hungarian basketball player Courtney Vandersloot is a point guard for the Chicago Sky. Since attending college, she has accomplished a great deal. The only other female player in the West Coast Conference at Gonzaga University who has won three conference player of the year awards is Courtney. Her salary as a player for Chicago Sky is $203,000.
9. Allie Quigley (Chicago Sky) – $194,000
Considering the recent adjustments to player salaries, Allie makes a sizable income even though hers is not the biggest in the WNBA. Chicago Sky pays her $194, 000 in compensation. By agreeing to a one-year contract in 2019, Allie extended her contract, raising her salary to $117,500 for the 2019 season.
10. Alisha Gray (Dallas Wings) – $160,000
The Dallas Wings’ shooting guard is Alisha Gray. As the fourth overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft, she was selected to join the club. It is reported that her yearly compensation is $160,000. The top-paid WNBA players in 2021 are listed above. Most of the players are not wanting to switch teams very soon because they have been with one for a long time. Players will receive greater packages as a result of the latest WNBA adjustments.
