Casual fans may wonder where Indiana Fever second-year guard Caitlin Clark ranks among the highest-paid WNBA players, especially given her ticket sales, merchandise numbers, and historic marketing push. But despite all that, she’s locked into a four-year, $338,056 rookie contract and won’t hit free agency until 2028.
While Clark will likely command a record-breaking deal down the line, there are plenty of other stars around the league who are earning — and deserving — top dollar.
With the 2025 WNBA season in full swing, it’s time to take a look at who the highest-paid players in the league are — and it may surprise you. We’ll kick it off with Clark’s high-scoring backcourt mate, who has been with the franchise going on eight seasons.
1) Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana, $249,244
After making it to two consecutive All-Star games, Kelsey Mitchell signed a one-year, fully guaranteed contract that put her atop the WNBA as the highest-paid player in the league. Amid her eighth season with the Fever, she’s averaged double-figure scoring each year and is widely considered among the best shooting guards in the league.
T2) Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas, $249,032
Just $212 less than Mitchell, Arike Ogunbowale is in the final year of her three-year, $725,952 fully guaranteed deal with the Dallas Wings. She’s finished in the top 10 in MVP voting in five of her seven seasons and has made the All-Star game in four straight years while taking home the game’s MVP award in 2021 and 2024.
T2) Jewell Loyd, Las Vegas, $249,032
Jewell Loyd originally signed this two-year, $491,016 deal with the Seattle Storm but was traded to the Las Vegas Aces in January. She’s lived up to the billing of being the No. 1 overall pick in 2015, as Loyd has made it to the past six All-Star games. She is also a two-time WNBA champion, winning with the Storm in 2018 and 2020.
4) Kahleah Copper, Phoenix, $248,134
Despite undergoing a left knee arthroscopy that will cause her to miss four to six weeks, Kahleah Copper’s contract is fully guaranteed. Copper is best known for her terrific performances in the 2021 WNBA Finals with the Chicago Sky, in which she was awarded the Finals MVP. The Mercury guard’s four-year streak of making the All-Star team is in jeopardy due to the injury, but she’s still considered one of the top players in the W.
5) Gabby Williams, Seattle, $225,000
The Storm awarded Gabby Williams with a fully guaranteed one-year, $225,000 deal over the offseason as she has established herself as one of the top defenders in the league. She has yet to make an All-Star team but is off to an excellent start in the 2025 season. Williams is on pace for a career-best scoring year and could garner her first All-Star appearance.
T6) Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix, $215,000
At 33 years old, Alyssa Thomas continues to get the job done on both ends of the court. She has been named to six All-Defensive teams and was named to the All-WNBA First Team in 2024, along with five All-Star game appearances in her career. After 11 seasons as part of the Connecticut Sun, the Mercury were able to sign her away with the sixth-highest paying deal in the league.
T6) Satou Sabally, Phoenix, $215,000
Another player who was wooed away from her previous team by the Mercury’s high-paying contract, Satou Sabally, played the first five seasons of her career with the Wings and made the All-Star team in 2021 and 2023. The 2023 Most Improved Player excels on both ends of the court but is making a particularly large leap offensively early in the 2025 season.
T8) Brionna Jones, Atlanta, $214,466
As a free agent during the offseason, Brionna Jones decided to depart from the Connecticut Sun and joined the Atlanta Dream with hopes of competing for a WNBA title. The 29-year-old forward has had a terrific career, making three All-Star games (2021, 2022, and 2024) and being named the Most Improved Player (2021) and Sixth Player of the Year (2022).
T8) Brittney Griner, Atlanta, $214,466
Fellow Dream teammate, Brittney Griner, left the Sun following an illustrious 11-year tenure in Connecticut, where she was named to nine All-Star teams and won back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2014 and 2015. Now earning a large raise in Atlanta, she’s the rim protector and finisher down low of a contending team.
T8) Natasha Howard, Indiana, $214,466
Natasha Howard, a terrific defender and the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, left the Wings in free agency to play for the Fever. She has made two All-Star teams in her career in 2019 and 2022. Amid her age-33 season, she’s still one of the top forwards in the game and provides solid defense and rebounding in Indiana.
T8) Skylar Diggins, Seattle, $214,466
Skylar Diggins has played on four teams in her career, most recently the Storm, with whom she signed a two-year, $422,685 deal before last season. At 34, her quickness and ability to blow by defenders have led her to six All-Star games, most recently making it in 2022.
12) Napheesa Collier, Minnesota, $214,284
Finishing second in MVP voting a season ago, Napheesa Collier’s three-year, $552,516 deal she signed in 2023 has been well worth it for the Minnesota Lynx. Along with making the All-Star game for the fourth time last year, she was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year as well as first-team All-Defense and All-WNBA First Team.
13) Marina Mabrey, Connecticut, $210,000
Marina Mabrey, on a three-year, $620,000 contract with the Sun, was acquired from the Sky in 2024. A 2019 second-round pick, she has far outplayed her draft positioning, and despite not making an All-Star team, she’s known as a great shooter with the potential to continue growing as she enters her eighth year in the league.
14) Breanna Stewart, New York, $208,400
It was no surprise for the New York Liberty to bring back Breanna Stea wart on a one-year deal after she was a key piece in the team’s 2024 title run. It was the third of her career and just another accolade to her decorated nine-year career, which includes making six All-Star teams and earning two Finals MVP and regular-season MVP awards.
15) Sabrina Ionescu, New York, $208,060
Sabrina Ionescu is in the second year of her two-year, $410,060 deal, and she’s delivered alongside her teammate Stewart as the lead point guard of last season’s champion. She’s come into her own the past three seasons, making three consecutive All-Star games and being named to the league’s second team in all three seasons.
16) Kayla McBride, Minnesota, $205,000
Kayla McBride made her fourth All-Star game in 2024, five seasons after making her last one, marking the fourth selection in her career. She signed a two-year, $413,000 contract to extend her tenure in Minnesota until after this season. One of the best 3-point shooters percentage-wise in the league, McBride is a key player for the Lynx and is still excelling in Year 12.
17) Myisha Hines-Allen, Dallas, $203,000
Myisha Hines-Allen signed a one-year deal with the Wings ahead of 2025 as she enters her eighth season in the league. She’s blossomed into a terrific role player, using her 6’1″ frame to control the paint, finish at the rim, and rebound the ball at a high level.
T18) Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles, $202,000
Dearica Hamby put together the best season of her career last season with the Los Angeles Sparks and re-signed on a one-year deal. The two-time Sixth Player of the Year winner (2019 and 2020) starred in a starting role in 2024, earning her third All-Star honor as well as being given the Sportsmanship Award.
T18) Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles, $202,000
Kelsey Plum’s six-year tenure with the Las Vegas Aces was very successful, as she was part of two championship teams. However, it ended ahead of the 2025 season when she was moved in a three-team trade, signing a qualifying offer and joining the Sparks on a one-year deal. A standout scorer, Plum has made three All-Star games in her career, winning the game’s MVP award in 2022.
20) Teaira McCowan, Dallas, $201,400
Teaira McCowan is in the final year of her three-year, $587,100 deal she signed in 2023. While she was successful in the first two seasons as a physical, tall presence down low, she’s seen her role reduced in the early stages of 2025. However, just seven years into her career, she’s established herself as a valuable player in the middle.
T21) A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas, $200,000
A’ja Wilson is massively underpaid for what she’s done in the WNBA. She signed a two-year, $400,000 deal ahead of the 2024 season and promptly won the MVP award and was named to the sixth All-Star game in seven seasons. Having led the Aces to two consecutive league championships in 2022 and 2023, she’s setting herself up for a raise this upcoming offseason.
Though she may be underpaid in the WNBA, she’s signed to a six-year shoe deal with Nike — one of the richest in women’s basketball history.
Breaking: Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson, a three-time WNBA MVP and two-time champion, is signing a six-year contract extension with Nike in one of the richest shoe deals for a women’s basketball player, sources told @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/ht78zgXr4e
— ESPN (@espn) December 17, 2024
T21) Ariel Atkins, Chicago, $200,000
Ariel Atkins also signed a two-year, $400,000 contract following 2023. Best known for her hounding defense, the Sky guard has made five All-Defense teams in seven full seasons. She was also an All-Star in 2021 and 2022 when her offense delivered just as much as her defense.
T21) DeWanna Bonner, Indiana, $200,000
Entering her 16th season, DeWanna Bonner decided to sign a one-year deal with the Fever for her age-37 season. She’s had an illustrious career, winning two championships, making six All-Star games, and reaching No. 3 on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list. With Indiana, she’s transitioned into playing a role, yet still produces when needed at a high level.
T21) DiJonai Carrington, Dallas, $200,000
DiJonai Carrington was named the Most Improved Player last season and used it to sign a nice contract with the Wings, where her defensive presence will be felt. Just beginning her fifth season in the league, she figures to be a fixture among the WNBA’s best defenders for years to come.
T21) Natasha Cloud, New York, $200,000
The Liberty traded for Natasha Cloud and are taking on her two-year, $400,000 contract after she spent last season playing for the Mercury. Her prowess on the defensive end and as a passer will be key in helping New York defend their 2024 title.
T21) Tiffany Hayes, Golden State, $200,000
The only Golden State Valkyries player on the list, Tiffany Hayes, joined the expansion franchise as a free agent, signing a one-year deal worth $200,000. At 35, she still contributes well as a scorer and won the Sixth Player of the Year award last season. Now starting for Golden State, she’s providing a veteran voice as the team navigates its first year in existence.