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Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson was one of three players to make history this offseason.
She signed a new contract that will earn her the new maximum of $1.4 million in 2026. Under the WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement deal signed in March, that number became the new maximum amount of money a player could earn in 2026.
Since being drafted in 2018, Wilson has built one of the best trophy cabinets in league history. Heading into her ninth season, the former University of South Carolina player is a three-time WNBA champion and four-time MVP.
Here's a look at how much Las Vegas' star will earn in 2026 compared to last season, and how her new deal stacks up against other top players.
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A'ja Wilson contract 2026
This season, Wilson is slated to earn a league-best $1.4 million. She is tied with Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell as the only players to receive the 2026 maximum earnings for a season. Next season, Wilson will earn $1.65 million, and $1.95 million in 2028, according to Spotrac.
In March, the WNBA reached a deal after months of speculation on a new collective bargaining agreement. According to the league, 2026's maximum one-year earnings now sit at $1.4 million, a number that is just shy of last season's $1.5 million team salary cap. This year, that salary cap number sits at $7 million.
In 2026, Wilson will be vying for her fifth MVP award after she made league history as the first player to win four MVP awards.
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How much money did A'ja Wilson make in 2025?
Prior to winning her fourth MVP award in 2025, the Las Vegas Aces' star made $200,000 last season, according to Spotrac. This financial sum was the 22nd-highest in the league, with Mitchell topping last year's chart with $269,244 earned.
Fast forward a year, and Wilson's per-year earnings top the charts. She is tied with Mitchell and Collier in earning $1.4 million after new maximum deals were negotiated under the new collective bargaining agreement.
MORE: What is the Indiana Fever's schedule this year?
Highest-paid WNBA players in 2026
The WNBA's new CBA shook up things financially around the league in a good way. Three of the league's top players earned the new maximum one-year amount, earning $1.4 million during the 2026 season. Here is the full breakdown of the top 10 highest earning amounts for this year.
| Rank | Player | Team | Amount |
| 1 | Napheesa Collier | Lynx | $1.4 million |
| A'ja Wilson | Aces | $1.4 million | |
| Kelsey Mitchell | Fever | $1.4 million | |
| 4 | Ezi Magbegor | Storm | $1.25 million |
| 5 | Kahleah Copper | Mercury | $1.2 million |
| Marina Mabrey | Tempo | $1.2 million | |
| Alyssa Thomas | Mercury | $1.2 million | |
| 8 | Shakira Austin | Mystics | $1.19 million |
| Bridget Carleton | Fire | $1.19 million | |
| Allisha Gray | Dream | $1.19 million | |
| Brittney Griner | Sun | $1.19 million | |
| Sabrina Ionescu | Liberty | $1.19 million | |
| Jonquel Jones | Liberty | $1.19 million | |
| Kayla McBride | Lynx | $1.19 million | |
| Arike Ogunbowale | Wings | $1.19 million | |
| Alanna Smith | Wings | $1.19 million | |
| Breanna Stewart | Liberty | $1.19 million | |
| Brittney Stykes | Tempo | $1.19 million | |
| Courtney Williams | Lynx | $1.19 million | |
| Gabby Williams | Valkyries | $1.19 million | |
| Jackie Young | Aces | $1.19 million |
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