In WNBA CBA, rookies get raise and have path to supermax deals

The WNBA and its players' union agreed to a new CBA in principle that will include raises for all players under contract on Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they're not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations. The person said all players currently under contract, including those under rookie deals, will be graduated from salaries in the old CBA to salaries paid in the new CBA.

For example, if a player on their rookie deal made the minimum the minimum salary $66,079, they would now make more than $300,000. In the new agreement, first- and second-team All-WNBA players on rookie contracts — such as Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers — are eligible to sign a maximum contract in their fourth year. Those players would not be eligible for the core designation following that extension.

A player on a rookie scale contract that earns MVP could similarly be eligible for a supermax deal. Any player on a rookie scale deal who signs an extension of at least three years would not be able to be cored thereafter. The person also confirmed the new league salary cap would start at $7 million in Year 1, up from $1.

5 million in 2025. The average revenue share for the players would be nearly 20% across the life of the deal, up from 9. 3% under the 2020 CBA.