NBA commissioner Adam Silver says WNBA players will get deserved 'big increase' in pay

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver says WNBA players will get deserved 'big increase' in pay

NBA commissioner Adam Silver says WNBA players will get deserved 'big increase' in pay

Heather Burns, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Tue, Oct 21, 2025 ·

2 min read

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The WNBA collective bargaining agreement expires in 10 days.

Minnesota Lynx All-Star forward Napheesa Collier , who serves as the WNBPA vice president, says the players have prioritized "two main points" — increased revenue sharing and salary structures — during negotiations.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver was asked about progress toward a deal by "Today" host Craig Melvin on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Melvin asked if WNBA players should get a larger piece of the revenue pie. "They get nine percent of total revenue compared to roughly 50 percent of the revenue of NBA players. Should they be getting a larger share of revenue in the WNBA?"

"Yes," Silver said "I think 'share' isn't the right way to look at it because there's so much more revenue in the NBA. You should look at it in absolute numbers in terms of what they're making. They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining. And they deserve it."

Under the current agreement, WNBA players receive 9.3% of the league's revenue, according to Market Watch , which includes income generated through ticket sales, TV deals, licensing and merchandise. The WNBA's revenue share agreement is much lower than other professional leagues. NBA players receive 49-51% of all basketball-related income and NFL players get 48% of all revenue and NHL players receive 50% of revenue.

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See the moment the Las Vegas Aces celebrate their 2025 WNBA championship win

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with Chelsea Gray #12 and Jewell Loyd #24 after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas Aces defeat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship.

(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Chris Coduto, Getty Images)

Catherine Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner, hands the Most Valuable Player award to A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Chris Coduto, Getty Images)

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury during Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Chris Coduto, Getty Images)

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces holds up the championship trophy after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Chris Coduto, Getty Images)

Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with fans after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Chris Coduto, Getty Images)

Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis and head coach Becky Hammon speaks to the media following Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces sits with the media during the post-game press conference following Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces speaks to the media following Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces takes a shot in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Mercury during Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Head coach Becky Hammon and A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces speaks to the media following Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

The current CBA, which was signed in January 2020, shortly after Cathy Engelbert took over as commissioner in 2019, was set to expire in 2027. The WNBPA , however, exercised its right to opt out of the agreement last October amid unprecedented league growth, meaning the CBA now ends on Oct. 31, 2025.

"While I hope we make the October 31st deadline, and that is a real deadline from that perspective, we have extended deadlines in the past," Engelbert said during her press conference ahead of the WNBA Finals on Oct. 3. "Last time, when I was only a couple days on the job, we got to an extension and got a deal done that was progressive at the time. So again, I feel confident that we can get a deal done, but if not, I think we could do an extension."

The draft lottery, expansion drafts and subsequent free agency period are all contingent on a new CBA. The league's newest franchises, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire , will begin play during the 2026 season, which will be the WNBA's 30th anniversary.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adam Silver says WNBA players will get deserved 'big increase' in pay

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