From Diana Taurasi to Candace Parker to Breanna Stewart, Boardroom highlights the top 20 most expensive players in the WNBA for the upcoming campaign by total salary.
In October, the Chicago Sky broke through. Led by series MVP Kahlea Copper, three-time All-Star Courtney Vandersloot, and all-time legend Candace Parker, they earned their first-ever WNBA championship three games to one over the loaded Phoenix Mercury — a team that enters 2022 with three of the top-four highest-paid players in the WNBA.
But entering the new season, which begins on May 6, who earns the distinction of being the league’s most expensive player? Along with Mercury icon Diana Taurasi, two additional ballers are locked into the WNBA’s max salary, exactly $228,094 for the year.
With that in mind, check out Boardroom’s list of the highest-paid WNBA players for the 2022 season by total salary compensation.
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Highest-paid WNBA Players of 2022 by Total Salary
Dollar figures via Spotrac based on a 2022 salary cap of $1,379,170.
t-1. Mercury G Diana Taurasi: $228,094 (WNBA max salary)
- Contract: 2 years, $449,544
- Average annual value: $224,772
t-1. Storm F Breanna Stewart: $228,094 (WNBA max salary)
- Contract: 1 year, $228,094
- Average annual value: $228,094
t-1. Storm G Jewell Loyd: $228,094 (WNBA max salary)
- Contract: 2 years, $464,030
- Average annual value: $231,515
t-4. Mercury C Brittney Griner: $227,900
- Contract: 3 years, $664,544
- Average annual value: $221,515
t-4. Mystics F Elena Delle Donne: $227,900
- Contract: 4 years, $899,480
- Average annual value: $224,870
t-4. Mercury G Skylar Diggins-Smith: $227,900
- Contract: 4 years, $899,480
- Average annual value: $224,870
t-4. Sun F DeWanna Bonner: $227,900
- Contract: 4 years, $899,480
- Average annual value: $224,870
8. Liberty F Natasha Howard: $221,450
- Contract: 4 years, $898,700
- Average annual value: $224,675
9. Dream G Tiffany Hayes: $215,000
- Contract: 1 year, $215,000
- Average annual value: $215,000
10. Sun F Alyssa Thomas: $206,000
- Contract: 4 years, $836,000
- Average annual value: $209,000
11. Sun F Jonquel Jones: $205,000
- Contract: 2 years, $416,150
- Average annual value: $208,075
t-12. Lynx C Sylvia Fowles: $200,000
- Contract: 1 year, $200,000
- Average annual value: $200,000
t-12. Fever G Kelsey Mitchell: $200,000
- Contract: 3 years, $618,000
- Average annual value: $206,000
t-12. Sky G Kahlea Copper: $200,000
- Contract: 2 years, $405,000
- Average annual value: $202,500
t-15. Aces F A’ja Wilson: $196,267
- Contract: 2 years, $398,422
- Average annual value: $199,211
t-15. Sparks F Nneka Ogwumike: $196,267
- Contract: 2 years, $386,817
- Average annual value: $193,409
t-15. Liberty G Betnijah Laney: $196,267
- Contract: 3 years, $588,801
- Average annual value: $196,267
t-15. Aces G Chelsea Gray: $196,267
- Contract: 2 years, $386,817
- Average annual value: $193,409
t-15. Lynx F Aerial Powers: $196,267
- Contract: 3 years, $588,801
- Average annual value: $196,267
t-15. Lynx G Kayla McBride: $196,267
- Contract: 3 years, $588,801
- Average annual value: $196,267
21. Sparks G Kristi Toliver: $196,100
- Contract: 3 years, $571,817
- Average annual value: $190,606
22. Fever G Bria Hartley: $196,100
- Contract: 3 years, $571,550
- Average annual value: $190,517
t-23. Sky F Candace Parker: $195,000
- Contract: 2 years, $385,000
- Average annual value: $192,500
t-23. Sky G Courtney Vandersloot: $195,000
- Contract: 1 year, $195,000
- Average annual value: $195,000
25. Dream F Cheyenne Parker: $190,550
- Contract: 3 years, $571,650
- Average annual value: $190,550
26. Sun G Jasmine Thomas: $190,000
- Contract: 3 years, $565,000
- Average annual value: $188,333
27. Dream G Erica Wheeler: $185,400
- Contract: 2 years, $365,400
- Average annual value: $182,700
t-28. Mystics G Natasha Cloud: $185,000
- Contract: 3 years, $565,000
- Average annual value: $188,333
t-28. Sky F Emma Meesseman: $185,000
- Contract: 1 year, $185,000
- Average annual value: $185,000
30. Mystics F Alysha Clark: $183,000
- Contract: 2 years, $366,000
- Average annual value: $183,000
Other Notable WNBA Player Salaries
t-33. Sparks C Liz Cambage: $170,000
t-37. Liberty C Stefanie Dolson: $160,000
43. Mercury G Diamond DeShields: $148,400
53. Sky G Allie Quigley: $135,000
57. Sparks F Chiney Ogwumike: $116,390
62. Mercury C Tina Charles: $108,000
68. Liberty G Sabrina Ionescu: $76,297
t-78. Storm G Sue Bird: $72,141
t-78. Lynx F Napheesa Coller: $72,141
t-78. Wings G Arike Ogunbowale: $72,141
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