The WNBA Pay Paradox: 5 Highest-Paid Players Of 2024 (Base Salary Vs. $11M+ Total Earnings)

The question of "who is the highest paid WNBA player" is surprisingly complex in 2024, revealing a massive disparity between an athlete's contracted base salary and their total annual income. While the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) sets a clear ceiling for on-court pay—the "Supermax" contract—the real money is now being made off the court through groundbreaking endorsement deals and brand partnerships. This article breaks down the two distinct leaders for the 2024 season: the player with the highest average annual base salary and the player whose stunning total earnings eclipse every other athlete in the league.

As of late 2024, the WNBA continues to see a significant increase in its salary cap and maximum contract values, but the gap between the highest-paid players and the league's biggest stars remains a central topic of discussion. The highest base salary is a tightly contested figure, but the total earnings leader is in a league of her own, signaling a new era of financial power for elite women's basketball players. We will explore the top earners by both metrics, providing a complete picture of WNBA player compensation.

Highest-Paid WNBA Players by Base Salary (2024 Season)

The WNBA salary structure is governed by the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which introduced the concept of a "Supermax" contract for qualifying veteran players. For the 2024 season, the maximum single-season base salary, or the Supermax figure, is a fixed amount that is shared by several elite players. However, when looking at the Average Annual Value (AAV) of multi-year contracts, a new leader emerges.

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1. Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces) - Highest Average Annual Value (AAV)

While many players share the single-season Supermax, Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young is widely considered the highest-paid WNBA player based on the Average Annual Value (AAV) of her contract extension.

• Team: Las Vegas Aces
• Position: Guard
• 2024 AAV: $252,450
• Contract Details: Signed a multi-year extension, making her the top earner by average salary.
• Career Highlights: Two-time WNBA Champion, WNBA All-Star.

The 2024 Supermax Tier: Highest Single-Season Base Salary

The highest single-season base salary for the 2024 WNBA season is the Supermax amount of $241,984, a figure shared by several established stars.

This group represents the absolute ceiling for on-court earnings under the current CBA rules, and includes some of the league's most prolific scorers:

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• Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury): $241,984
• Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm): $241,984
• Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings): $241,984
• Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever): $249,244 (Note: Mitchell’s figure is often cited higher due to specific contract structure, but the Supermax is the standard ceiling for single-season base pay for many.)

The Shocking Total Earnings Leader: Base Salary vs. Endorsements

The narrative of "highest paid" completely shifts when factoring in off-court income, which includes lucrative endorsement deals, sponsorships, and other business ventures. In 2024, the WNBA’s biggest star by total income is not a Supermax player, but a rookie, demonstrating the exponential power of personal brand and marketability in the modern sports landscape.

Caitlin Clark: The WNBA's First $11 Million Woman

The undisputed highest-paid WNBA player by total earnings in 2024 is Caitlin Clark. Her rookie base salary is modest by Supermax standards, but her off-court deals have shattered financial ceilings for the entire league.

• Team: Indiana Fever
• 2024 Base Salary: Approximately $76,535 (First year of a four-year, $338,056 rookie contract)
• Estimated 2024 Total Earnings: Over $11 Million

The massive difference in Clark's earnings is driven almost entirely by her unprecedented endorsement portfolio. She reportedly earned $11.1 million in 2024, placing her among the highest-earning female athletes globally, just behind stars like Coco Gauff and Simone Biles.

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Key Endorsements Driving Clark’s Income

Clark’s endorsement deals are massive, multi-year contracts that dwarf her playing salary. These partnerships include:

• Nike: A reported $28 million deal, including a signature shoe.
• Gatorade
• State Farm
• Gainbridge
• Xfinity
• Buick

This financial reality highlights the WNBA's "pay paradox," where the most popular and marketable players earn the vast majority of their income outside of their team contract.

WNBA Star Salaries: A Look at Top Veterans

The fact that league MVPs and champions are not the highest-paid by base salary is a major point of discussion in the WNBA. The CBA structure, which ties max salaries to years of service, means that players who signed extensions years ago may be earning less than those who signed their deals more recently.

A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)

Despite being a two-time MVP, two-time WNBA champion, and one of the most dominant forces in the league, A'ja Wilson's 2024 base salary is significantly lower than the Supermax tier.

• 2024 Base Salary: $200,000
• Why the Discrepancy? Wilson signed her current contract (a two-year, $400,000 extension) at a time when the maximum salary was lower, a common issue for stars in the WNBA who sign extensions before a new, higher CBA max takes effect.

Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)

Another former MVP, Breanna Stewart, also falls outside the top base salary tier, though her total earnings are also substantial due to endorsements.

• 2024 Base Salary: Approximately $205,000 - $208,400 (depending on the exact contract year and structure)
• The CBA Factor: Stewart, like Wilson, has a base salary that reflects her contract’s timing, not her current value to the league. However, her numerous endorsements with brands like Puma and others make her total income one of the highest in the league.

The Future of WNBA Salaries and the $1 Million Contract

The conversation around WNBA salaries is constantly evolving, driven by the league’s surging popularity, largely attributed to the "Caitlin Clark Effect" and the increased national media attention.

The Push for Higher Max Contracts

The current CBA is set to expire, and there is significant momentum for a new agreement that would dramatically increase player salaries. The current Supermax of $241,984, while an improvement, is still seen as low compared to the revenue generated by the league and the salaries of male counterparts in the NBA. Many players and analysts advocate for a maximum salary closer to $1 million, a figure that has been floated in recent discussions about a potential new media deal.

Topical Authority: Key Entities and LSI Keywords

To fully understand the WNBA financial ecosystem, it's essential to recognize the key factors and entities at play. The discussion of player pay involves the WNBA Salary Cap, the WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the Supermax Contract, and the rising influence of Endorsements and NIL Deals (Name, Image, and Likeness) for players entering the league. Key players like Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Jewell Loyd, Arike Ogunbowale, Kelsey Mitchell, Diana Taurasi, A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Caitlin Clark are central to this financial narrative, representing different tiers of compensation based on contract timing and marketability.

The WNBA is currently at a critical juncture. While a handful of veterans earn the highest base salary—the Supermax—the player who is truly the "highest paid" in terms of overall income is a rookie whose endorsement deals have set a new financial standard. This disparity will continue to fuel negotiations as the league prepares for a new era of financial growth and a potential $1 million contract for its biggest stars.