A’ja Wilson has had an incredible year, capped by a 2025 season that saw her win her fourth MVP award, her third Defensive Player of the Year Award, third WNBA championship, and second Finals MVP award.
Now, with a new CBA in the WNBA, Wilson is cashing in. She has agreed to a 3-year, $5 million contract.
Despite the massive pay increases for Wilson and many other WNBA players, they still don’t compare to NBA players’ contracts.
The WNBA World Reacts to A’ja Wilson’s New Contract
Although it is obviously good to see players like Wilson cash in on their incredible careers, many have pointed out just how wide the gap is between the WNBA and the NBA.
The WNBA world has taken notice, and the NBA player who has felt the brunt of this is Lakers’ guard Bronny James.
James earns $1.9 million per season, which is $300,000 more than Wilson’s $1.6 million per season salary.
Onyx Odds pointed out the salary difference between Wilson, the WNBA’s best player last season, and James. This season, James is averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 assists per game, shooting 40.9% from the field.
Wilson, on the other hand, averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 50.5% from the field and 42.4% from three.
A’ja Wilson: $1.6M average salary
Bronny James: $1.9M average salary
Ridiculous pic.twitter.com/c3Ds9AJI5q
— Onyx (@OnyxOdds) April 15, 2026
“A’ja Wilson: $1.6M average salary
Bronny James: $1.9M average salary
Ridiculous”
@Kachinuel calls the WNBA’s announcement overblown and says the pay gap remains ridiculous.
A’ja finally getting paid like a mediocre backup NBA point guard is supposed to be massive news. It is honestly hilarious that securing five million over three years is considered a groundbreaking historic contract. The massive pay gap is still completely ridiculous
— Emima (@kachinuel) April 15, 2026
“A’ja finally getting paid like a mediocre backup NBA point guard is supposed to be massive news,” he wrote. “It is honestly hilarious that securing five million over three years is considered a groundbreaking historic contract. The massive pay gap is still completely ridiculous.”
@boi_king1 also dismisses the contract as a milestone.
So A’ja Wilson gets a record breaking deal and people are acting like it’s some huge milestones, but $5M over 3 years is still what some NBA bench players make in a few months. Not exactly the flex the league thinks it is.
— 👑king👑 (@boi_king1) April 15, 2026
“So A’ja Wilson gets a record-breaking deal, and people are acting like it’s some huge milestones, but $5M over 3 years is still what some NBA bench players make in a few months,” they posted on X. “Not exactly the flex the league thinks it is.”
Richie from Sports Audit shared the same sentiment, showing how far the league still has to go.
$5M headline… but the real story is how much the ceiling still has to grow
— Richie | The Sports Audit (@rickky01) April 15, 2026
“$5M headline… but the real story is how much the ceiling still has to grow.”
BearsShowYo highlights the deal with a Rodney Dangerfield meme, noting the money and length.
3 year $5M “Supermax” pic.twitter.com/j3UGRZ0kPt
— BearsShowYo (@BearsShowYo) April 15, 2026
Obviously, if the WNBA continues to trend upwards and its ratings continue to improve, more money will be there in the future, but at the moment, although there has been a significant rise, those who cover and follow the WNBA still don’t believe the players are being paid their worth.
