Who is the highest paid WNBA player in 2024?

By Jocelyn Alano February 29, 2024 06:54

Photo by Gregory Shamus/GettyImages

With superstars like Caitlin Clarke and Angel Reese recently joining the WNBA and taking the nation by storm, the league has seen tremendous growth in both popularity and impact. Highlighting the pay gap between WNBA superstars and their NBA counterparts, the issue of Women’s pay in professional sports is more prevalent now than ever. In this article, we will examine the WNBA’s highest earner and touch on the scope of this contract for the rest of the league.

Highest Paid Player: Jackie Young Profile

The highest-paid player in the WNBA is Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, one of 21 members of this year's WNBA 25. Young signed a two-year extension with the Aces in 2022 worth $504,900 and now makes an average of $252,450 annually. Her performance on the court and her marketable talent off it have helped her earn top billing in WNBA earnings.

The Rise of Jackie Young as the WNBA's Highest-Paid Player

Selected No. 1 overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, she instantly became a cornerstone for the Aces and has been a major factor toward their back-to-back titles. An all-around contributor on the basketball court, Young’s scoring, defense, and on-court leadership make her one of the most important players on the WNBA’s best team. Helping lead the Aces to back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, Young’s track record as a winner has certainly separated her from the pack.

Larger market:

Young's cache off the court has also blossomed through social media, and to the league's fans and sponsors, she is now a familiar face. The fashion entrepreneur has also pursued several community initiatives in addition to her voracious social media presence, allowing fans to feel connected to her more and buy into her superstardom.

Other Top Earners

Jackie Young might be the highest-paid player in the league, but other players are also making impressive salaries. Followed closely by Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm ($245,508) and Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury ($245,059), it is within reason that Young will soon be surpassed in earnings. While the pay is nowhere near that of the NBA yet, as the league grows in popularity, the salaries are expected to grow in tandem.

The top base salary for a WNBA player with "service ll" (up to 6 years) is just $113,500. But Diana Taurasi, the oldest and most successful active women's professional basketball player in history — arguably better than everyone but Lauren Jackson as far as replacement level goes— makes over twice that at $234,936.

The Economics of the WNBA

The WNBA has made slow and steady progress in increasing player salaries over time, with a great deal of credit going toward the player union's work at the collective bargaining table (alongside gradual growths in overall league interest). Salary Cap: The cap for 2024 is $1,463,200, which may seem small to some, but it does show significant growth compared to where the league was only a few years ago.

Essentially, the league and its revenue model are evolving, with viewership and social engagement projected to continue to help keep the league funded. After all, the 2024 WNBA season has been the most viewed season to date, which bodes well for salary growth.

Currently, Jackie Young is not only the highest-paid player in the WNBA but also the highest-paid player in WNBA history. She is a perfect example of performance, marketability and smart endorsements coming together to achieve financial success. The rise of the wage ceiling for star WNBA players is one part of a more significant trend towards greater spending on women's sports, as the WNBA continues to forge a global brand that ensures greater playing and recognition opportunities for female athletes worldwide.

In summary, the financial landscape of WNBA and female sports, in general, is on an upward trend, with players like Jackie Young bearing a new generation. A testament to what could and may eventually become of the league, they inspire future generations while breaking down boundaries in women's sports.