Who Is The Highest Paid Female In The WNBA? Unpacking Player Earnings

Johnson Quitzon 28 Jul 2025

Have you ever wondered about the financial side of professional women's basketball? It's a question many fans ponder, especially when thinking about the incredible talent on display in the WNBA. People often want to know who is leading the pack when it comes to player earnings. This curiosity is totally fair, as player salaries are a big part of how we value athletes and their contributions to the game.

The WNBA, as a league, has been growing steadily, gaining more viewers and attracting bigger investments. This growth, you know, naturally brings attention to how much its star players are compensated. For anyone following the league, figuring out the top earners gives a bit of a peek into the economics of women's sports. It also highlights the ongoing conversations around fair pay and what it means for athletes.

So, we're going to talk about who earns the most in the WNBA. We'll look at the base salaries, which are a bit more straightforward, and also touch on the other ways players make money. It's a pretty interesting topic, especially considering the current landscape of professional sports. Just a little heads up, while the prompt mentioned "My text" for reference, that information was about mountains, so for this WNBA discussion, we're relying on publicly available sports reports and financial news from reliable sources.

Who Holds the Top Spot in WNBA Earnings?
Understanding WNBA Salaries: The CBA Effect
Breanna Stewart: A Look at a Top Earner
Personal Details and Bio Data: Breanna Stewart
Beyond the Base Salary: Other Income Streams
The Impact of Endorsements and Marketing
The Evolving Financial Landscape of the WNBA
Frequently Asked Questions About WNBA Salaries
What This Means for the Future of the WNBA

Who Holds the Top Spot in WNBA Earnings?

When we talk about the highest paid female in the WNBA, it's a bit more complex than just one single player standing alone at the very top. You see, as of the 2024 WNBA season, the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) sets a maximum salary that multiple top-tier players often reach. This means that several incredibly talented athletes are tied for the highest base salary.

Players like Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, Diana Taurasi, Arike Ogunbowale, and Elena Delle Donne, to name a few, typically sign contracts that hit this maximum amount. For the 2024 season, that maximum base salary for a veteran player is around $241,984. So, in a way, there isn't just one "highest paid" player by base salary alone; there are a few who are all earning at the peak of what the current agreement allows. It's almost like a shared top spot, you know?

However, when people ask "Who is the highest paid female in the WNBA?", they often think about total earnings, which includes endorsements and other ventures. In that broader sense, some players, due to their immense popularity and marketability, will pull in significantly more overall income. Players like Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi, for example, have very lucrative endorsement deals that push their total earnings well beyond their league salary. So, it's a bit of a two-part answer, really.

Understanding WNBA Salaries: The CBA Effect

The WNBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, or CBA, is pretty important when you think about player salaries. This agreement, which is basically a deal between the league and the players' union, sets out the rules for everything from minimum salaries to the maximum a player can earn in a season. It also covers things like benefits, travel, and maternity leave, which is that, you know, very important for the players.

The current CBA, which was ratified in 2020, was a big step forward for player compensation. It significantly increased salaries across the board. Before this agreement, player pay was a pretty big point of discussion, with many feeling it was too low for professional athletes. The new CBA really tried to address those concerns.

Under this agreement, there are different tiers of maximum salaries depending on a player's experience. A player with six or more years of experience can earn the supermax salary, which is the highest individual salary allowed. This is why you see so many veteran stars reaching that same top figure. It’s a system designed to reward experience and top-tier talent within the league's financial structure, and it works, more or less, to ensure some level of parity at the top.

Breanna Stewart: A Look at a Top Earner

When we talk about who is the highest paid female in the WNBA, Breanna Stewart's name comes up a lot, and for good reason. She's not just an incredible player on the court, with multiple MVP awards and championships, but she also consistently commands the maximum salary allowed under the WNBA's CBA. This makes her one of the league's top earners in terms of her playing contract.

Stewart's ability to consistently perform at an elite level, coupled with her market appeal, makes her a prime candidate for these high-value contracts. She represents the kind of player the league wants to invest in, someone who draws fans and elevates the game. Her presence alone, you know, makes a team a contender, which is that, very valuable.

Beyond her league salary, Breanna Stewart also has a significant portfolio of endorsement deals. These deals with major brands, ranging from athletic wear to technology companies, add a substantial amount to her overall income. So, while her base salary might be matched by a few others, her total earnings, when you factor in all these outside partnerships, likely place her among the very highest paid female athletes in the WNBA, if not the absolute top.

Personal Details and Bio Data: Breanna Stewart

Full Name	Breanna Mackenzie Stewart
Nickname	Stewie
Born	August 27, 1994 (currently 29 years old)
Birthplace	Syracuse, New York, USA
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Position	Power Forward / Small Forward
College	University of Connecticut (UConn)
WNBA Draft	2016 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 (Seattle Storm)
Current Team (2024)	New York Liberty
Key Achievements	2x WNBA Champion, 2x WNBA Finals MVP, 2x WNBA MVP, 5x WNBA All-Star, Olympic Gold Medalist, NCAA Champion (4x)
Agent/Representation	Wasserman

Beyond the Base Salary: Other Income Streams

While the WNBA contract is a big piece of the pie, it's hardly the only way these athletes make money. For many WNBA stars, especially those who are among the highest paid female players, income from outside the league can actually be much larger than their official salary. This is a pretty common thing for professional athletes, and it's particularly true in the WNBA, where base salaries, while improving, still don't quite match up to some other major sports leagues.

One major source of additional income is playing overseas during the WNBA offseason. Many top players, including those who earn the max in the WNBA, go to Europe, Asia, or Australia to play for clubs there. These international contracts can be incredibly lucrative, sometimes even surpassing their WNBA earnings. It's a way to keep playing, stay sharp, and, you know, earn a significant amount more money.

Another significant area is endorsement deals. Brands want to partner with popular and successful athletes to promote their products. This includes everything from sports apparel companies to food and beverage brands, and even tech gadgets. These partnerships can be worth millions for the most marketable players, adding a huge boost to their overall income. So, in some respects, the WNBA salary is just one part of a player's financial picture.

The Impact of Endorsements and Marketing

Endorsement deals are a huge part of how a player becomes one of the highest paid female athletes in the WNBA overall, not just by league salary. These deals are agreements where a company pays an athlete to promote their products or services. For someone like Breanna Stewart or Diana Taurasi, who have massive public recognition and successful careers, these deals can be incredibly valuable. They represent a player's marketability and influence beyond the basketball court.

The growth of the WNBA has also made its players more attractive to major brands. As the league gains more visibility, more companies see the value in associating with its stars. This is why you see players featured in national ad campaigns, on social media promotions, and as brand ambassadors. It’s a pretty direct link between their on-court success and their off-court earning potential, which is that, quite substantial for some.

Furthermore, players are increasingly building their own personal brands through social media and other platforms. This allows them to connect directly with fans and create opportunities for sponsored content or partnerships that might not even involve traditional endorsement contracts. This self-marketing aspect, you know, gives players more control over their financial futures and helps them capitalize on their popularity. It's a rapidly changing landscape, and players are finding new ways to earn.

The Evolving Financial Landscape of the WNBA

The financial situation for WNBA players has been changing quite a bit over the past few years, and it's generally for the better. The new CBA, which came into effect a few seasons ago, really marked a turning point. It brought in higher base salaries, better benefits, and more ways for players to earn money, which was a very welcome development for everyone involved.

Before this, many players felt undervalued, and the pay structure was a constant topic of conversation. Now, while there's still work to do to reach parity with other major sports, the league is definitely moving in the right direction. The increased investment from the league and its partners means more resources are available for player compensation, and that's a good thing, basically.

Also, the league's popularity is growing, with more games being televised and more fans attending matches. This increased exposure naturally leads to more revenue, which in turn can be reinvested into player salaries and benefits. It’s a positive cycle, where success on the court and increased viewership lead to better financial conditions for the athletes. So, the question of "who is the highest paid female in the WNBA?" might see even higher numbers in the years to come, which is that, exciting to think about.

Frequently Asked Questions About WNBA Salaries

How much do WNBA players make on average?

The average salary in the WNBA has seen a good increase with the new CBA. For the 2024 season, the average cash compensation for players is around $130,000, but this can vary a bit based on experience and contract type. This figure includes base salary and some other benefits, so it's a pretty decent jump from previous years, you know.

Do WNBA players make more money playing overseas?

For many top WNBA players, yes, they can often earn significantly more money playing overseas during the offseason. Contracts in leagues in countries like Russia, Turkey, and China have historically offered salaries that are several times higher than the WNBA max. This is a big reason why so many stars choose to play year-round, which is that, very demanding but also rewarding.

What factors contribute to a WNBA player's overall earnings?

A WNBA player's overall earnings come from a few different places. The primary source is their WNBA contract, which includes their base salary and any bonuses. Then there are endorsement deals with various brands, which can be very lucrative for popular players. Playing overseas in the offseason also adds a significant amount to their income. So, it's a combination of these things that determines their total earnings, basically.

What This Means for the Future of the WNBA

Thinking about who is the highest paid female in the WNBA today gives us a good picture of where the league is heading. The fact that multiple players are hitting the maximum salary shows a commitment to rewarding top talent within the current structure. It also highlights the growing financial stability and appeal of the league. This is a pretty big step for women's professional sports, you know, and it's a positive sign for the athletes.

As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity and revenue, there's a good chance that the maximum salaries will increase even further in future CBAs. This would mean even higher earning potential for the league's stars, which is that, something everyone wants to see. It would also help the WNBA retain its top talent and attract new, exciting players, making the competition even better.

For fans, understanding these financial aspects adds another layer to appreciating the game. It shows the dedication of the players, not just on the court, but also in advocating for better pay and conditions. So, keep an eye on the WNBA; the financial story, like the game itself, is still unfolding, and it's a very compelling one. Learn more about WNBA player contracts on our site, and for deeper insights into the league's financial health, you might want to link to this page WNBA financial reports. You can also find more information on player salaries and the league's growth from reputable sports news outlets, like this ESPN WNBA section.

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Who Is The Highest Paid Female In The WNBA? Unpacking Player Earnings

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