The 2021 WNBA campaign will tick off soon. That means we will be able to see the triumphant league back in action. Compared to 2020, 2021 will be a successful year for all the WNBA teams. Last year was a flop show for the WNBA teams as some of the highest paid WNBA players didn’t participate in the leagues due to the pandemic.
With the 2021 WNBA leagues, spectators expect to see all the popular names on the basketball court. Although 2020 was one of the worst years for the world’s economy, it was certainly a life-changer for the players. The average bargaining agreement increased by 30%.
With the 25th WNBA right around the corner, let’s take a look at the highest paid WNBA player.
WNBA Highest Paid Player
A collective bargain agreement made for the WNBPA, WNBA Board of Governors, and WNBA commissioner has boosted the players’ base salaries, allowing the WNBA TEAM to keep their favorite players in the WNBA teams.
With these opportunities, the WNBA players now enjoy a bump in their salary, whereas most of the WNBA players now have six-figure salaries.
1. Sue Bird – $221,450
If you are a fan of WNBA, there is no way you would not recognize the name Sue bird. Sue Bird is one of the most prominent figures in the WNBA for the last two decades. Due to a major knee injury, she could not become a part of the team in 2019.
After returning from the injury, she started scoring almost 10 points and more than five assists every match. Although her time in the league matches was limited due to her bone bruises, she represented the team for 11 matches.
2. Liz Cambage – $221,450
Liz Cambage didn’t play in the 2020 WNBA seasons and could take medical exemption due to the pandemic. She was eager to play the season but became sick after her match in China before the season. Although she was not found COVID positive, she was determined as a high-risk player.
She is back now in 2021. When we saw her in 2019, she was one of the most dominant players of the season. We would like to see her in the same form starting this year’s season.
3. Dewanna Bonner – $221,450
Dewanna Bonner is yet another popular name in the WNBA. She has represented Phoenix Mercury for decades before signing a trade-off to Connecticut sun in 2020. Now the 33-year-old WNBA star is locked with the Suns till 2023 WNBA seasons.
Dewanna Bonner is among the only few highest-paid WNBA players who participated in the 2020 WNBA league. Bonner averaged a team-high of almost 20 scores per match and was second highest with the rebounding per contest with 7.8.
4. Elena Delle Donne – $221,450
If we are talking about the WNBA highest-paid player, how come we forget Elena Delle Donne. This superstar was off the court in 2020 due to medical exemption due to her Lyme disease. Despite being out of the league, her WNBA team honored their contract.
Now WNBA fans can rejoice as Elena will be back in the league in 2021. WNBA star Elena was considered an instrument that led the franchise to their first WNBA title.
5. Brittney Griner – $221,450
Brittney Griner has been considered a machine in the WNBA for years. This is why Phoenix has her on their max contract, making her one of the highest paid WNBA player. She could not continue in the 2020 season as she left the league due to some personal reason after 12 games.
Griner will be back in 2021 and will look to get back herself from her prime form from 2019, where she averaged more than 20 points and seven rebounds every match.
6. Skylar Diggins Smith – $221,450
Diggins is one of the trade-off players who signed a four-year contract with Mercury making her one of the highest paid WNBA player. Diggins didn’t play in 2019 after giving birth to her son a few weeks before the season.
After that, the pandemic hit the world, keeping her away from the court for two long years. At the IMG academy, she scored on an average of 17.7 and distributed 4.5 assists. With these exceptional numbers, it is expected that she would show the same level of performance she is known for.
7. Diana Taurasi – $221,450
The monster of the Phoenix Diana is considered one of the best WNBA players in history since she became NO. 1 player in 2004. Her performance in 2020 shows that she is still the same monster we know.
With 18.7 points per game, 4.5 assists, and 4.2 rebounds, she is one of the most demanded players of the season.
Around The League
These are the top seven names of the highest paid WNBA player. However, this is not the end of the list. There are several WNBA players that are enjoying a lucrative hike in their annual salaries.
For instance, Chicago’s highest paid WNBA player Courtney Vandersloot was offered $200,000 last year. It is expected that the agreement will increase for this year’s WNBA leagues.
The same scenario stands true for all the other famous players around the world. Perhaps, the pandemic has brought a turning point in the CBA’s new salary structure for the WNBA.
Closing Thoughts
That’s it for the highest paid WNBA player. Here we have listed down the top seven WNBA players that are currently making the most. We hope that your favorite player is on the list.
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