The WNBA’s latest collective bargaining offer has the potential to significantly impact emerging talents such as Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers. Despite Clark missing much of the 2025 season due to injuries, her impressive rookie year in 2024 earned her first-team All-WNBA honors, Rookie of the Year, and a fourth-place finish in MVP voting. The league’s proposed changes could accelerate Clark’s path to a maximum contract.
Fast-Tracking Maximum Salaries for Promising Rookies
The new agreement includes a clause allowing players on rookie-scale contracts to become eligible for maximum salary deals after four years if they earn first- or second-team All-WNBA recognition during their initial contracts. Caitlin Clark qualifies for this due to her first-team selection, making her eligible for a max contract as early as 2027. Similarly, Paige Bueckers, who was a second-team All-WNBA pick in 2025, could reach max contract eligibility in 2028.
“New CBA offer from league fast-tracks young star players getting max deals, AP Source: https://t.co/jiIgkLgLLO” — Doug Feinberg, Associated Press
Currently, the WNBA’s max salary stood near $249,000 in 2025. Under the proposed contract, the top salary would jump dramatically to $1.3 million in the first year after ratification. This means Clark could receive a paycheck more than 16 times greater than her rookie salary when she negotiates a new deal with the Fever in 2027.
Additional Developments in the WNBA Landscape
Alongside the contract negotiations, other significant conversations continue within the league. Paige Bueckers has voiced frustration with the CBA talks, calling them “not really a negotiation anymore.” Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart shared insights about NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s involvement in the discussions, revealing aspects that differ from public assumptions. Off the court, Caitlin Clark and Olympian Eileen Gu recently drew attention together at Milan Fashion Week, highlighting the growing crossover between athletes and global culture events.
New CBA offer from league fast-tracks young star players getting max deals, AP Source: https://t.co/jiIgkLgLLO
— Doug Feinberg (@DougFeinberg) March 2, 2026
