Identifying the Top-Earning WNBA Player in the Year 2024
Top WNBA Players and Their Base Salaries for the 2024 Season
The 2024 WNBA season is set to tip off on May 14, with a total of 12 teams participating. Among the most anticipated developments is the distribution of salaries for the league's top players.
Jackie Young, a forward for the Las Vegas Aces, has been confirmed as the highest-paid player for the 2024 season, earning a base salary of $252,420. This figure places her at the top of the WNBA's salary hierarchy.
Other top players, such as Kelsey Mitchell, Jewell Loyd, and Arike Ogunbowale, are also among the highest-paid, though their exact 2024 figures might slightly differ from their 2025 reported salaries. For instance, in 2025, Kelsey Mitchell's salary is reported to be $249,244, Jewell Loyd's $245,508, and Arike Ogunbowale's $241,984.
Alyssa Thomas, a forward/guard for the Connecticut Sun, will earn a base salary of $218,000 in 2024. Napheesa Collier, a forward/guard for the Minnesota Lynx, and Marina Mabrey, a guard for the Chicago Sky, each have a base salary of $218,219 and $208,000 respectively.
Diana Taurasi, a legendary guard for the Phoenix Mercury, will earn $234,936 in 2024. Kayla McBride, a guard for the Minnesota Lynx, achieved a career high of 18.2 points per game during the 2018 season while playing with the Las Vegas Aces. Natasha Howard, a versatile player who has donned the jerseys of the Indiana Fever, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, and New York Liberty, will earn $234,350 in 2024.
It's important to note that the pay disparity between the WNBA and the NBA is significant. While the average WNBA salary was $120,600 in 2022, the average NBA salary was a staggering $5.4 million. This reflects broader gender pay gaps in other industries and requires ongoing efforts to address systemic issues related to gender, revenue, and representation.
Each team will play 40 games in the 2024 regular season, and the maximum base salary in the WNBA for 2024 is $241,984. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a contract between the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association, outlining the terms and conditions of employment for the league's players.
Marina Mabrey, a consistent three-point shooter for the Chicago Sky, and Kayla McBride, a versatile guard for the Minnesota Lynx, each have a base salary of $208,000 in 2024.
As the 2024 WNBA season approaches, fans and players alike are eager to witness the exciting competition and inspiring performances that the league consistently delivers.
In the upcoming 2024 WNBA season, Arike Ogunbowale, a guard for an unspecified team, will also be among the highest-paid players, with a base salary of $241,984. Kelsey Plum, a guard for the Las Vegas Aces, is another basketball player who will take to the court in the WNBA, with a base salary of $249,244 in 2024.
