Caitlin Clark rival set to earn higher salary than her

Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA has coincided with an explosion in the league’s popularity. This popularity has resulted in expansion franchises being added at a rapid pace, with two joining the league this season and three more expected by 2030, and also in a new transformative CBA.

The new CBA will see the Indiana Fever guard’s salary for the upcoming season increase to $527,155 in 2026. However, one of Clark’s biggest rivals, and arguably the biggest obstacle between Clark and becoming the face of the league, has just inked a contract that will see her earn even more.

Four-time league MVP A’Ja Wilson will be signing a three-year supermax deal worth $5 million, according to two of ESPN’s lead insiders.

“A’ja Wilson, the WNBA’s first ever four-time MVP, is signing a three-year, $5 million supermax contract to return to the Las Vegas Aces, sources tell me and (Andraya Carter). The deal, which is the largest in WNBA history to date and fully guaranteed, was negotiated by Jade-Li English of Klutch Sports Group,” Sbams Charania reported on Wednesday.

Alexa Philippou, also of ESPN, followed up with more info.

Per @ShamsCharania and @Andraya_Carter: Wilson will earn $1.4 million for the upcoming season under the new WNBA CBA, and the salary will increase over the next two years based on her receiving 20% of the team’s salary cap.

My understanding is this is the first contract in… https://t.co/nsJLNYtCzH

— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 15, 2026

“Wilson will earn $1.4 million for the upcoming season under the new WNBA CBA, and the salary will increase over the next two years based on her receiving 20% of the team’s salary cap. My understanding is this is the first contract in league history that is structured in this way. Every other multi-year deal has featured fixed numbers.”

It’ll be interesting to see how the season plays out on the hardwood.