Adam Silver Says WNBA Players to Receive Major Pay Raise in New Labor Deal

NBA commissioner confirms that women’s league players will see “a big increase” in salaries under next collective bargaining agreement.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that players in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) will receive a substantial pay increase as part of a new collective bargaining agreement. The statement comes amid growing calls for wage reform and revenue sharing in women’s professional basketball.

Silver Confirms Pay Boost on National Television

Speaking Tuesday on NBC’s Today show ahead of the new NBA season, Silver was asked whether WNBA players should receive a larger share of league revenue.

“Yes,” he initially replied, before clarifying, “I think ‘share’ isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA. You should look at it in absolute numbers — and they are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining, and they deserve it.”

His remarks mark the strongest indication yet that the WNBA’s next collective bargaining agreement (CBA) will include a significant pay rise for players, who have long advocated for greater financial parity and investment in the league.

WNBA’s Current Pay and Revenue Structure

Under the existing CBA, WNBA players receive 9.3% of total league revenue, compared with 49% for NBA players. The WNBA’s salary cap for the most recent season was $1,507,100, with a maximum salary of $249,244 and a minimum of $66,079.

The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) has repeatedly argued that compensation fails to reflect the league’s rapid growth, increased media attention, and expanding fan base.

League Growth Drives New Negotiations

According to Sportico, the WNBA’s 13 franchises have risen in value by an average of 180% over the past few years. The Indiana Fever, led by rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, saw the sharpest increase — a 273% jump to a valuation of $335 million.

The report attributed the surge to higher TV ratings, merchandise sales, ticket demand, and sponsorship deals. Analysts note that this momentum strengthens players’ bargaining position ahead of the new CBA, which WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has said is expected to be finalized soon — though not necessarily by the October 31 target.

Players React to Silver’s Remarks

Silver’s comments sparked an immediate response from the WNBA Players Association, which reposted his interview clip on Instagram Stories with the caption: “Don’t you want to share, @adamsilvernba?”

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the league’s leadership and its players, who have publicly campaigned for higher pay. During this year’s WNBA All-Star Game, athletes wore warm-up shirts reading “Pay Us What You Owe Us”, emphasizing their demands for equitable treatment.

Player Frustration Over League Management

Frustration over compensation has also intersected with broader criticism of league leadership. Last month, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier described the WNBA as having “the worst leadership in the world,” citing a “lack of accountability.”

In response, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert defended her administration, saying she has “utmost respect” for Collier and has been “working tirelessly to transform this league.”

Future of the WNBA’s Financial Model

As negotiations continue, analysts expect the new CBA to redefine how revenue is distributed and potentially introduce new incentives tied to league profitability.

Silver’s confirmation of a “big increase” underscores the NBA’s recognition of the WNBA’s growing commercial strength. For players, the next agreement could mark a pivotal step toward narrowing the long-standing pay gap between men’s and women’s professional basketball.

Source: CNN – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says WNBA players will get ‘big’ pay increase in new collective bargaining agreement