Meet the Top 10 Highest Paid WNBA Players: Who's Bringing Home the Bacon?
Hello, sports enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the world of the WNBA to find out who the top 10 highest paid WNBA players are. We'll be checking out their salaries, teams, and what makes them absolute powerhouses on the court. So, grab a snack and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and top 10 highest paid wnba players.
The Big Guns: WNBA's Maximum Salaries
Before we dive into our list, let's talk about the WNBA's maximum salaries. The league has a soft cap, which means teams can exceed the salary cap by a certain amount. The maximum salary for a non- rookie player is $228,094, and the maximum salary for a player in her first or second year in the league is $68,000.
Now, let's meet the top 10 highest paid WNBA players who are absolutely crushing it on and off the court!
1. Sue Bird - Seattle Storm
Sue Bird, the 40-year-old point guard for the Seattle Storm, is not only the oldest player on our list but also the highest-paid. She's been a force to be reckoned with in the WNBA since she was drafted first overall in 2002. In 2021, she signed a supermax contract extension worth $215,000, making her the highest-paid WNBA player for the 2022 season. Bird has led the Storm to four WNBA championships and is a five-time All-Star.
2. Sylvia Fowles - Minnesota Lynx
Sylvia Fowles, the 36-year-old center for the Minnesota Lynx, is another veteran making waves in the WNBA. She's a six-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. In 2021, Fowles signed a two-year deal worth $210,000 per year, making her the second-highest-paid player in the league. She's been a dominant force in the paint, leading the Lynx to two WNBA championships.
3. Candace Parker - Chicago Sky
Candace Parker, the 36-year-old forward for the Chicago Sky, is a household name in the WNBA. She's a two-time MVP, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a five-time All-Star. After spending her first 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, Parker signed with the Sky in 2021. Her contract is worth $210,000 per year, making her the third-highest-paid player in the league.
4. Diana Taurasi - Phoenix Mercury
Diana Taurasi, the 40-year-old guard for the Phoenix Mercury, is another veteran making a big impact in the WNBA. She's a three-time Olympic gold medalist, a three-time WNBA champion, and a 10-time All-Star. Taurasi signed a two-year extension worth $201,000 per year in 2020, making her the fourth-highest-paid player in the league.
5. Skylar Diggins-Smith - Phoenix Mercury
Skylar Diggins-Smith, the 31-year-old guard for the Phoenix Mercury, is making a name for herself as one of the league's top scorers. She's a five-time All-Star and has led the league in scoring twice. Diggins-Smith signed a five-year deal worth $206,250 per year in 2020, making her the fifth-highest-paid player in the WNBA.
6. Jonquel Jones - Connecticut Sun
Jonquel Jones, the 27-year-old forward for the Connecticut Sun, is one of the WNBA's most versatile players. She's a two-time All-Star and was named the 2020 WNBA Most Improved Player. Jones signed a one-year deal worth $200,000 in 2021, making her the sixth-highest-paid player in the league.
7. Napheesa Collier - Minnesota Lynx
Napheesa Collier, the 26-year-old forward for the Minnesota Lynx, is making a name for herself as one of the league's top young stars. She's a two-time All-Star and was named to the All-Defensive Team in 2020. Collier signed a multi-year extension worth $198,000 per year in 2021, making her the seventh-highest-paid player in the WNBA.
8. A'ja Wilson - Las Vegas Aces
A'ja Wilson, the 25-year-old forward for the Las Vegas Aces, is one of the WNBA's most dominant players. She's a two-time All-Star and was named the 2020 WNBA MVP. Wilson signed a multi-year extension worth $198,000 per year in 2021, making her the eighth-highest-paid player in the league.
9. Courtney Vandersloot - Chicago Sky
Courtney Vandersloot, the 32-year-old guard for the Chicago Sky, is one of the league's top distributors. She's a three-time All-Star and led the WNBA in assists in 2020 and 2021. Vandersloot signed a multi-year extension worth $195,000 per year in 2021, making her the ninth-highest-paid player in the WNBA.
10. Leilani Mitchell - Phoenix Mercury
Leilani Mitchell, the 34-year-old guard for the Phoenix Mercury, is the final player on our list of the top 10 highest-paid WNBA players. She's a two-time All-Star and has been a key role player for the Mercury since joining the team in 2019. Mitchell signed a two-year deal worth $195,000 per year in 2021, making her the tenth-highest-paid player in the WNBA.
Wrapping Up: The Cream of the Crop
There you have it, folks! Our list of the top 10 highest-paid WNBA players is a testament to the incredible talent and skill in the league. These women are not only making a name for themselves on the court but also paving the way for future generations of WNBA stars.
So, who's your favorite player on this list? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to share this article with your fellow sports enthusiasts. Until next time, stay tuned for more exciting content from the world of sports!