The WNBA Draft represents the turning point in the careers of future professional basketball players, their transition to pro play coming at the conclusion of their college experience. Thirty-six picks across three rounds bring to each draft selection a formula rookie contract.
These contracts vary much differently, financially, from what their NBA equivalent would earn. Knowing the nitty-gritty of these deals gives a perspective into the economics behind joining the WNBA.
WNBA Rookie Contract Structure
The WNBA Draft consists of three rounds, with 12 picks in each, totaling 36 selections. Each drafted player is offered a four-year contract, with salaries predetermined based on their draft position. These contracts are structured to provide incremental salary increases over the four years.
Below is the breakdown of the total contract value for each pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft:
- Pick 1: $348,198
- Pick 2: $348,198
- Pick 3: $348,198
- Pick 4: $348,198
- Pick 5: $334,115
- Pick 6: $334,115
- Pick 7: $334,115
- Pick 8: $334,115
- Pick 9: $320,040
- Pick 10: $320,040
- Pick 11: $320,040
- Pick 12: $320,040
- Pick 13: $305,957
- Pick 14: $305,957
- Pick 15: $305,957
- Pick 16: $305,957
- Pick 17: $305,957
- Pick 18: $305,957
- Pick 19: $305,957
- Pick 20: $305,957
- Pick 21: $305,957
- Pick 22: $305,957
- Pick 23: $305,957
- Pick 24: $305,957
- Pick 25: $285,136
- Pick 26: $285,136
- Pick 27: $285,136
- Pick 28: $285,136
- Pick 29: $285,136
- Pick 30: $285,136
- Pick 31: $285,136
- Pick 32: $285,136
- Pick 33: $285,136
- Pick 34: $285,136
- Pick 35: $285,136
- Pick 36: $285,136
These are the aggregate values of the four-year deals, with each yearly salary rising annually. For example, the first pick’s salary increases from $78,831 in Year 1 to $100,510 in Year 4.
Financial Realities and Comparisons
Albeit the formal contracts, WNBA rookie pay is relatively low compared to other professional sporting leagues. To illustrate, the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Caitlin Clark, signed a four-year contract worth $348,198. NBA rookie deals for top draft picks, on the other hand, can run over $40 million over the same duration.
The salary gap has prompted numerous WNBA players to look for more money through international play, sponsorship, and alternative league play. Angel Reese, a 2024 draftee, accentuated this as she mentioned the $50,000 she earned from winning the Unrivaled League championship was necessary because she had a paltry WNBA salary.
She underscored that her WNBA compensation was not enough to pay ordinary expenses, like her $8,000 a month rent.
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In addition, the WNBA’s current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has been contentious for players, with demands for higher pay and improved revenue sharing. The league’s media rights packages and annual revenue fall far below that of the NBA, which helps account for the modest salary cap and player salaries.
The rookie salary structure of the WNBA presents a clear framework for new players, one of stability and predictability. But the financial caps on these deals point to greater problems within the economic model of the league.
With women’s basketball popularity on the rise, there is more pressure being placed on the WNBA to reexamine its compensation models. Improved media agreements, sponsorships, and collective bargaining.
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