Ah, the WNBA.
The land of soaring athleticism, fierce competition, and occasionally awkward mascots.
However, let’s not forget what really matters: what our beloved players earn.
Who’s making bank, and who’s struggling to pay rent?
Let’s look at some of the biggest earners in the WNBA (According to NBC Connecticut).
Jackie Young
Team: Las Vegas Aces
Salary: $252,450
Jackie Young is among the fastest-rising WNBA talents.
Drafted in 2019, Young’s game focuses on speed and agility, and she’s proven a valuable asset for the Las Vegas Aces.
In Young’s rookie season, she averaged 3.3 rebounds and 6.6 points per game, which let her join the WNBA All-Rookie Team.
Jackie Young appreciation post pic.twitter.com/7QwSn9TJMj
— AllThingsWNBA (@AllThingsWNBA) February 23, 2023
Young has kept improving at an unprecedented rate, and being the WNBA’s current highest earner is proof of her growth.
Still only 25, Jackie Young has room to grow–she is undoubtedly a basketball legend in the making.
Arike Ogunbowale
Team: Dallas Wings
Salary: $241,984
Arike Ogunbowale has earned her status as the second-highest-earning WNBA player.
After becoming the Dallas Wings’ fifth pick in 2019, she surpassed everyone’s expectations:
- She became the WNBA 2021 All-Star Game MVP
- In the 2019 season, Ogunbowale scored 19.1 points per game–the third-highest in the league
- In 13 of her last 14 games, Ogunbowale scored an astounding 20 or more points
- She was part of the All-Rookie Team
Arike Ogunbowale’s story is still being written, but the beginning — and everything she accomplished in Milwaukee — never changes. @ZoraStephenson shares @Arike_O‘s story to celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth. pic.twitter.com/fMsJ8X1lV3
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) March 7, 2023
The 26-year-old’s career trajectory is upwards, and she has many more milestones on the way.
Jewell Lloyd
Team: Seattle Storm
Salary: $231,515
The Seattle Storm first drafted Jewell Lloyd in 2015, and she’s been with them since.
The point guard got her feet wet playing alongside WNBA legend Sue Bird and currently also plays for Perfumerias Avenida.
Lloyd won the 2015 Rookie of the Year Award in her debut season, and she’s had stellar seasons since then.
🗳️ 𝑽𝒐𝒕𝒆 for the 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑴𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒂 🗳️@jewellloyd is once again nominated for 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫! 🐍🌟
Vote now 👇https://t.co/nHtUjk0l40 pic.twitter.com/ZWMgTCgBlx
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) January 17, 2023
In addition to her WNBA salary, Loyd has also landed notable endorsements.
She’s worked with Nike, Samsung, Tissot, and more and has appeared in commercials and other promotional materials.
These partnerships have made added to her income and increased her visibility.
DeWanna Bonner
Team: Connecticut Sun
Salary: $224,870
DeWanna Bonner is a basketball legend.
The 35-year-old has played in the league since 2009 when Phoenix Mercury drafted her.
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Bonner played with them for a decade until the team traded her to Connecticut Sun in 2020.
With her speed, size, and skills, Bonner is always a threat on the court–her lethality has not waned with age.
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Team: Phoenix Mercury
Salary: $224,870
In 2013, Tulsa Shock drafted Diggins-Smith third.
Since then, she has made significant achievements, including:
- In her rookie season, Diggins-Smith averaged 8.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game, earning her a place in the All-Rookie Team
- She became a WNBA All-Star only the next season
- She was part of the 2017 All-Star Game
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Diggins-Smith is among the most consistent players in the league, so she’s earned her mammoth salary.
Elena Delle Donne
Team: Washington Mystics
Salary: $224,870
Elena Delle Donne earns the same as DeWanna Bonner and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
The 33-year-old has also had a stellar career.
Chicago Sky selected her second in the 2013 Draft and became the first rookie in the league’s history to lead in votes for the All-Star Game.
This beautiful soul is finally coming home ❤️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sVxL7CtOOF
— Elena Delle Donne (@De11eDonne) December 8, 2022
Naturally, Delle Donne became the Rookie of the Year in 2013.
She became the 2015 MVP with an outstanding average of 23.4 points per game.
The WNBA’s Highest Earners Are Also The Best
So there you have it.
These players are the highest-paid in the league, and it’s no wonder why.
They are all at the top of their game, and their salaries reflect their dominance on the court.
