WNBA Rookie Salaries Set to Soar in 2026
How much do WNBA rookies make? What to know about 2026 contracts and salaries for every draft pick
Yahoo! News
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WNBA rookies in 2026 will earn significantly higher salaries due to a new collective bargaining agreement. The first pick, Azzi Fudd, will earn $500,000 in her first year, while the average rookie salary will rise to $386,000, reflecting a dramatic increase from previous seasons.
- 01Azzi Fudd, the first overall pick, will earn $500,000 in her first year.
- 02The average rookie salary in 2026 will be $386,000, up from $75,000 last year.
- 03Olivia Miles, the second pick, will earn approximately $467,000 in her first season.
- 04Rookies selected after the 10th pick will have a flat first-year salary of $289,133.
- 05The average salary for all WNBA players has increased to around $600,000.
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The salaries for WNBA rookies are set to skyrocket in 2026, following the new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union. The first overall pick, Azzi Fudd, will earn $500,000 in her first year, contributing to an average rookie salary of $386,000, which is more than five times the previous year's figure of $75,000. Olivia Miles, the second pick, will receive about $467,000 in her first season, while players selected from the 11th pick onwards will earn a flat rate of $289,133. The overall average salary for WNBA players has also risen to around $600,000, showcasing a significant pay raise for athletes in the league.
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