NFL agent cap 3%NBA agent cap 4%MLB agent cap 5%Top federal rate 2026 37%Bonus withholding over $1M 37%Texas state tax on wages 0%Florida state tax on wages 0%California top rate 13.3%NBA escrow 10% of each check held backNIL money 1099 income, add 15.3% self-employment taxAgent fees for team salary not deductible on your federal returnNFL players file taxes in about 10 to 14 states a year
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WNBA 2026

The raise was historic. Now keep it.

The new CBA took the minimum from about $66,000 to $270,000 and the max to $1.4 million. For a lot of players, this is the first time the money is life-changing. Here is what it really pays.

The new deal, in numbers

Minimum
$270,000
Max (supermax)
$1,400,000
Average
$583,000
Team salary cap
$7,000,000
  • Salary cap is $7 million in 2026, up from about $1.5 million in 2025, and is projected to top $10 million by 2032.
  • Minimums run $270,000 to $300,000 in 2026 by years of service and are projected at $340,000 to $380,000 by 2032.
  • Max salary is $1.4 million in 2026 and is projected above $2.4 million by 2032. ESPN reports a regular max of $1.19 million and $1.4 million as the supermax.
  • Average salary is expected to be $583,000 in 2026 and over $1 million by 2032.
  • The No. 1 overall pick is projected to earn $500,000 in 2026.
  • Teams must carry at least 12 players, plus 2 developmental roster spots.
  • Two expansion teams start play in 2026: the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030) follow.
  • Season grows from 44 games in 2026 to up to 50 in 2027 and 2028, and up to 52 from 2029 through 2032.
  • League-wide charter air travel is written into the deal.

Statement of earnings

$583K season, Las Vegas Aces

The 2026 average salary. Lives in Nevada. Single.

Keeps 58%
Gross pay$583,000
TaxFederal income tax($164,318)

Top federal rate is 37% on taxable income over $640,600. Reduced by a credit for tax paid to Canada.

TaxMedicare($11,901)

1.45% on every dollar, plus 0.9% on pay over $200,000. No cap.

TaxSocial Security($11,439)

6.2% on the first $184,500 only.

TaxJock tax (road games)($13,116)

About 24% of your duty days are on the road. Road states and cities with an income tax each take a cut. Estimated across 12 taxing places your league visits.

FeeAgent (5%)($29,150)

Taken from the gross, before taxes. For team salary it is not deductible on your federal return.

FeeManagers and advisors (1%)($5,830)

Business manager, financial advisor, and similar percentage fees.

FeeCPA and lawyer($8,000)

Multi-state returns, contract review, estate documents.

What you actually keep

$339,246

You keep

58%

Run your WNBA contract

Every team, minimum and max

After taxes and agent, player living in the team's state (Florida home for Toronto). Sorted by the max.

TeamKeeps on the minimumKeeps on the max
Dallas WingsArlington, TX$178,076$793,782
Las Vegas AcesParadise, NV$178,076$793,782
Seattle StormSeattle, WA$178,076$793,782
Phoenix MercuryPhoenix, AZ$173,217$767,937
Indiana FeverIndianapolis, IN$172,293$763,720
Atlanta DreamAtlanta, GA$168,145$742,442
Chicago SkyChicago, IL$167,506$742,302
Connecticut SunUncasville, CT$165,496$713,900
Minnesota LynxMinneapolis, MN$160,291$679,944
Washington MysticsWashington, DC$160,877$679,055
New York LibertyBrooklyn (New York City), NY$165,543$677,526
Golden State ValkyriesSan Francisco, CA$159,928$656,102
Los Angeles SparksLos Angeles, CA$159,928$656,102
Portland FirePortland, OR$148,051$632,977
Toronto TempoToronto, ON$113,576$584,727

WNBA money questions

What is the WNBA minimum salary in 2026?+

$270,000 for rookies, rising to $300,000 for players with 10 or more years of service, under the 2026 CBA. That is up from about $66,000 in 2025.

How much does a WNBA player take home after taxes?+

On the $270,000 minimum, roughly $113,576 to $178,076 depending on the team's state, after federal tax, payroll taxes, road-game taxes, and an agent fee.

Do WNBA players still need to play overseas?+

Far less than before. With salaries several times higher, many players can earn a full living in the WNBA alone. The new deal also keeps the prioritization rule, which requires players to report on time instead of staying overseas.

Sources