WNBA Season Opens as Star Recovers, Players See Major Pay Gains
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The WNBA season begins May 8, with star Napheesa Collier sidelined until June as she recovers from surgery. Collier, a key union leader, enters the season under a transformative new contract that dramatically increases player compensation and revenue sharing.
Facts First
- The WNBA season starts May 8 with Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier recovering from ankle surgery.
- Collier will not resume play until June, having worn a medical boot during a recent interview.
- A new contract raises the players' revenue share from 8% to 20%, a major financial shift for the league.
- By 2026, the lowest-paid players will earn more than the highest-paid players did in 2025, signaling rapid wage growth.
- Collier signed a one-season 'supermax' deal worth $1.4 million, more than five times her previous salary.
What Happened
The WNBA season begins on May 8. Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier is recovering from offseason surgery on both ankles and will not be able to resume play until June. Collier recently gave an interview at The Courts at Mayo Clinic Square, the Lynx practice facility in Minneapolis, while wearing a medical boot. She enters this season under a new, significantly more lucrative contract.
Why this Matters to You
If you follow women's sports, you are witnessing a pivotal moment of financial recognition for elite athletes. The new collective bargaining agreement represents a substantial redistribution of league revenue to the players, which could lead to greater stability and career longevity for professionals in the sport. This shift may also influence pay structures in other women's leagues. For fans, the increased investment in players could enhance the quality and competitiveness of the game you watch.
What's Next
Collier is expected to return to the court for the Lynx in June. The new contract stipulates that the lowest-paid players in 2026 will out-earn the highest-paid players from 2025, which will become clearer over the coming seasons. Collier's continued advocacy as a union leader and her role in co-founding the offseason Unrivaled league point to her ongoing influence on the sport's business landscape beyond her playing career.