The WNBA is Defined by Its History and the Women Who Built It
3.5 Minute read
By Andrea Aruino
Nearly three decades into the existence of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), marks a turning point outlined by expansion, higher salaries, and a surge in cultural relevance that has been monumental for the game of basketball. This past year has been a reflection of the work and sacrifice that women have dedicated towards bringing to light the inequalities of the WNBA and challenges that come with being a female athlete. Many misconceptions persist, often accepted as truth without understanding the systemic barriers behind them. When taking a closer look at what it has taken to reach this point, the WNBA becomes even more admirable, not just for the level of competition, but for the resilience and progress that define it.
Before the WNBA was popular the way it is now, most people were quick to think no one wants to watch women play basketball, it is boring, it just does not compare to the NBA (National Basketball Association). What many failed to consider was how inaccessible the WNBA is. It is easy to turn the TV on and find at least two NBA games streaming, especially during the NBA season. Due to streaming rights and regulations, it would take several loop holes to find a single WNBA game. The problem is not that people do not want to watch, it is just harder to access than an NBA game.
Just this past 2024-2025 season the narrative began to shift in a way that could no longer be ignored. The WNBA delivered record-breaking numbers across the board, including its highest attendance since 2002, when the league last had 16 teams. Games regularly drew crowds of over 20,000 fans, marking the highest single-game attendance in nearly two decades, while national viewership surged alongside it. The league also secured new media deals set to bring in over $200 million annually, an eightfold increase compared to its 2019 agreements. These numbers signal that the demand had always been there, it simply needed the right platform and visibility to thrive. With stronger media deals and increased coverage, the league has started to close the accessibility gap that once held it back, allowing new audiences to engage with the game in real time.
That growing visibility has translated directly into expansion. The WNBA is now on track to reach 18 teams, adding franchises in cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia over the next several years, with new teams already seeing outpouring support such as the Golden State Valkyries who sold out every home game during their inaugural season. In addition, the league’s newest expansion franchise, the Portland Fire, is poised to usher in an even greater wave of momentum. This kind of growth is not just about numbers, it is proof that women’s basketball is meant to grow. Ownership groups, sponsors, and media partners are investing in women’s basketball at levels that were once overlooked.
The biggest news before the upcoming season was about the newly ratified collective bargaining agreement (CBA) which marked a historic shift in how players are compensated. Minimum salaries were increased dramatically and rightfully so, with players earning around $270,000 at the base level, while average salaries are projected to rise to over $500,000. For the first time in league history, players will surpass the $1 million mark, with supermax contracts reaching upwards of $1.4 million. Some well deserved players who saw a pay increase includes 4-time WNBA MVP, 3-time WNBA Champion, and 2-time Finals MVP, A’ja Wilson who was making $250K a year in 2025 is now one of the highest paid players in the WNBA. As well as Kelsey Plum who signed a one-year, $999k contract with the LA Sparks instead of taking the max contract in order to give the Sparks more flexibility when building their roster. Some star rookies also saw a pay increase including Caitlin Clark who went from making $85K to $528K and Paige Bueckers who went from $80K to $500K.
For years, WNBA players operated under contracts that did not reflect their value, with many earning salaries that forced them to play overseas during the offseason just to make ends meet. In 2025, the average salary was around $120,000, with the league’s top players earning just under $250,000. That reality stood in stark contrast to the revenue the league was beginning to generate. Not only are salaries growing, players will now receive a larger share of the league’s revenue, approximately 20%, compared to the roughly 9–10% they previously earned.
This change is not about matching NBA salaries, but about creating a system that fairly reflects the growth of the league and the players driving it. It is a direct result of years of advocacy, negotiation, and unity among players who understood their worth long before the numbers reflected it. Even with the new CBA, a gap remains. NBA players receive close to 50% of their league’s revenue, while WNBA players will now earn about 20%. While this is a significant improvement, it highlights that the fight for equity is ongoing.
What sets the WNBA apart is not just its growth, but how it has grown. Players have not only elevated the game through their performance, but also through their willingness to use their platform to advocate for change. Whether addressing gender equity, racial justice, or player rights, WNBA athletes have consistently been at the forefront of conversations that extend far beyond basketball. What is being displayed right now by the WNBA is proof of what happens when those with power invest in women’s sports. This is representation that the younger generation requires in order to continue its legacy.
