The National Basketball Association continues to dominate the professional basketball landscape in the United States, pulling in billions of dollars each season, while the Women’s National Basketball Association struggles to match that financial scale. In 2025 the WNBA announced a single‑season attendance record, signaling growing fan engagement despite the revenue gap.
Record Attendance
The league's popularity is surging, with teams drawing larger crowds than ever before. This surge is especially evident in markets like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas, where ticket sales have hit historic highs, underscoring a rising appetite for women's basketball.
Salary Landscape
The salary contrast is stark. For example, Stephen Curry earned $59,606,817 playing for the Golden State Warriors during the 2025–2026 NBA season, whereas Caitlin Clark is set to make roughly $528,846 with the Indiana Fever in 2026. LeBron James topped the NBA with $52,627,153, while Angel Reese saw a 460% raise under the new collective bargaining agreement, yet still earned far less than many of her male counterparts.
Other high‑profile contracts illustrate the disparity. Arike Ogunbowale’s decision to accept a lower salary with the Dallas Wings reflects a strategic choice to preserve roster flexibility, a move echoed by Napheesa Collier’s one‑year, $1.4 million deal with the Minnesota Lynx. Meanwhile, Kahleah Copper is cashing out with $1,230,000 on a two‑year contract with the Phoenix Mercury, and Breanna Stewart recently signed a three‑year agreement with the New York Liberty.
The gap extends beyond individual contracts. Devin Booker’s $53,142,264 salary, Luka Dončić’s $54,126,450, and Nikola Jokić’s $55,224,526 illustrate the upper echelon of NBA earnings, while Paige Bueckers is slated for a dramatic increase from about $80,000 to $500,000 in 2026.
Looking Ahead
The league’s growth is evident in rising attendance figures and expanding media deals, but the financial structure still favors the NBA, prompting discussions about future collective bargaining negotiations. As the WNBA continues to break attendance records and attract new fans, the pressure to close the pay gap may accelerate, potentially reshaping the economic landscape of professional basketball.