WNBA Players to Share $8M in Historic Revenue Deal

For the first time in league history, WNBA players will receive revenue sharing payments totaling $8 million after the league hit financial benchmarks. The milestone comes as the players union and league continue negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association announced that the WNBA has achieved a historic financial milestone, becoming profitable enough to share revenue with players for the first time in the league’s history.

WNBPA officials informed ESPN on Monday that players across all 13 teams from the 2025 season will split $8 million in revenue sharing payments.

This achievement stems from a collective bargaining agreement signed in early 2020, which established specific financial targets that would unlock revenue sharing opportunities once met. While the union confirmed the milestone was reached, they declined to reveal the league’s complete 2025 revenue figures or specify the exact threshold required.

The league actually set aside $16 million from its revenue for players, but half of that amount is designated for marketing partnerships rather than direct player compensation, according to the report.

“I’m just hopeful that this distribution gives them a little bit of comfort and a lot of confidence in what we’re doing,” WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson told ESPN.

Additionally, players will collectively earn $9.25 million from licensing deals involving merchandise sales, video games, and jersey purchases.

This revenue sharing development comes during ongoing contract negotiations between the union and league officials. With the draft and training camp approaching in just a few months, the players association recently modified its financial demands in a new proposal submitted last week.

The union’s updated proposal requests an average of 27.5% of total league revenue, starting at 25% in year one of any new agreement. Their revised salary cap proposal would begin below $9.5 million for the first season.

The union’s earlier demands were significantly higher, seeking 31% of gross revenue on average, with an initial year starting at 28%. Their previous salary cap proposal called for $10.5 million in the opening year.