A’ja Wilson’s expected WNBA supermax contract highlights the league’s rapid financial growth, but it will still leave her earning less than NBA rookie Bronny James.
The comparison captures two realities at once: the WNBA is entering a new financial era, but the gap to the NBA remains significant.
Wilson’s deal sits right at the centre of that shift, representing progress while also exposing the limits of it.
A’ja Wilson’s WNBA supermax contract shows league growth
Wilson contract report confirmed the scale of the deal she is expected to sign.
“Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson is expected to re-sign on the historic new WNBA supermax salary of $1.4 million as soon as possible, sources told the Review-Journal on Wednesday,” the report revealed.
The figure is part of a new WNBA collective bargaining agreement that dramatically increases salaries across the league, with the salary cap jumping to around $7 million and average pay rising toward $600,000.
The structure also introduces meaningful revenue sharing, allowing player earnings to grow alongside the league’s expanding popularity.
Compared to the previous system, where the cap sat near $1.5 million, the change represents a major financial reset.
A’ja Wilson’s salary is still below Bronny James’ earnings
An X post pointed out that even with a supermax deal, Wilson would still earn less than Bronny James.
Bronny’s rookie NBA contract is worth close to $2 million per year, placing him above one of the WNBA’s top players despite his limited impact at the professional level so far.
The comparison has gained traction because it simplifies the broader pay gap into a single, striking example.
Wilson’s deal signals undeniable progress, but it also underlines how different the financial ecosystems of the two leagues remain.
For now, the WNBA is growing fast, but moments like this show the scale of the gap it is still trying to close.
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