Top 10 Highest Paid Female NBA Players In The World 2026

In the exciting world of women’s basketball, the WNBA is more popular than ever, with huge crowds, record-breaking viewership, and unparalleled media coverage. As we go into 2026, the league’s best players are not only dominating the court, but they are also getting paid a lot of money since they are so valuable. Nubia Magazine loves to celebrate Black brilliance, empowerment, and women in sports who are paving the way. These athletes show strength and skill, from intense opponents to cultural icons. This in-depth study looks at the highest-paid female NBA players in the globe in 2026, with a focus on the WNBA’s top earnings.

This list shows the top 10 highest-paid female NBA players in the globe in 2025, along with their wages, teams, and what makes them so important to the league. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about the money side of the game, this list is for you. New TV deals, a rise in sponsorships, and the arrival of players from around the world have all changed the WNBA’s pay structure a lot. The wage cap for 2025 is $1,507,100 per team, and senior stars can sign supermax contracts worth up to $249,244. These numbers don’t even include big endorsement deals from companies like State Farm, Nike, and Gatorade, which may quadruple or triple a player’s pay. Based on trustworthy sources like Spotrac and industry studies, here is our list of the top-paid female NBA players in the globe in 2026.

In 2026, the highest-paid female NBA players in the world aren’t just being paid; they’re changing the story of the WNBA. Expect salaries to go up even more if new TV deals come in and rookies like Caitlin Clark bring in 50% more fans. We at Nubia Magazine applaud these ladies for breaking down barriers and empowering the next generation. Their stories of Jackie’s precision and Griner’s strength are what drive our coverage of Black greatness in sports.

List Of Top 10 Highest Paid Female NBA Players In The World 2026

1. Jackie Young

Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces is the highest-paid female NBA player in the world in 2026. Her contract, which is for $252,450, shows that she is a two-time WNBA champion and a player who can do a lot of different things on both ends of the court. Young started her stint at Notre Dame, where she led the Fighting Irish to a national title in 2018. That year, the Aces picked her first overall. Since then, she has become a sharpshooting guard with great defensive skills, averaging 16.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.0 steals a game. What makes Young different? She is essential because she can change her game to fit the situation, whether it means draining threes from deep or shutting down opponents. Off the court, she’s becoming a queen of endorsements, working with brands that match her calm, professional style. Young’s leadership will be very important as the Aces try to win three in a row. For fans who want to know who the highest-paid female NBA players will be in 2026, she’s the best example of value and success.

2. Kelsey Mitchell

Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever comes in at number two with a supermax salary of $249,244. Mitchell is a genuine bucket-getter who went to Ohio State and was picked in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. She has a rapid release and drives that aren’t afraid of anything. In 2024, she scored 25.7 points per game, which earned her a spot on the All-WNBA First Team and helped the Fever make the playoffs with newcomers like Caitlin Clark. Mitchell’s pay shows how consistent she is: she’s a three-time All-Star who knows how to handle high-pressure situations. In addition to basketball, she speaks up for mental health awareness and uses her platform to motivate future athletes. Mitchell is one of the highest-paid female NBA players in the world in 2026. Her ability to score and make a difference off the court makes her a Fever staple and a fan favorite. This season, expect her to score a lot of points again.

3. Jewell Loyd

Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm comes in third. This shows how long she has been around and how explosive she is. Loyd was the first overall pick in 2015 out of Notre Dame. Since then, he has become a scoring monster, averaging more than 20 points per game in several seasons and winning the scoring title in 2023 with 26.4 points per game. Her game is all about being athletic: she makes thunderous dunks, smooth mid-range pull-ups, and plays tough defense. Loyd is valuable not only because she’s a veteran player, but also because she’s a mentor to younger Storm players and a Nike ambassador with a huge following on social media. Even if there were rumors of a deal, her dedication to Seattle has paid off in real life. Loyd’s ability to come through in the clutch, like her famous postseason heroics, makes her worth every penny among the highest-paid female NBA players in the world in 2026.

4. Kahleah Copper

Kahleah Copper, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, completes the top five. Copper, a product of Rutgers University and a champion with the Chicago Sky in 2020 (when she received the Most Valuable Player award in the Finals), brings a championship pedigree to the desert. An explosive drive, perimeter defense, and an average of 18.2 points and 4.1 rebounds in 2024 are all examples of her game, which exemplifies the concept of Grit. Copper has received All-Defensive accolades and is playing an increasingly important part in the rebuilding of Mercury. In addition to this, she is an outspoken leader on issues of social justice, bringing attention to the voices of black athletes. Copper’s two-way skill warrants her near-supermax contract, which positions Phoenix for a deep playoff run in 2025. Copper is among the most paid female NBA players in the world.

5. Arike Ogunbowale

Because of her spectacular play, Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings earns $249,032 per year, which places her in a tie for third place in terms of money but in fourth place here owing to tiebreakers. “Riq” is a legend at Notre Dame and the number one choice in 2019, and she is linked with drama. Do you remember her heroics in the 2021 Finals or her All-Star Game MVP performance in 2023? During the previous season, she scored an average of 22.2 points, combining a high scoring output with highlight-reel flair. Ogunbowale’s off-court game is just as impressive; she is a social media influencer who has millions of followers and has signed deals with BodyArmor and Wingstop. Her supermax deal solidifies her position as a cornerstone for the Wings as they continue to build around her and upcoming stars. Because of her appeal and her fiercely competitive nature, Ogunbowale is an untradeable asset for those who are keeping track of the most paid female NBA player in the world in 2026.

6. Natasha Howard

In addition to her defensive tenacity and championship rings (two of which she earned with Seattle), Natasha Howard, who plays for the Indiana Fever, has a total of $214,466. In 2024, she was a product of Florida State University, and she excelled in the paint, averaging 12.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Both Howard’s postseason pedigree and his role as a mentor contribute to the Fever’s increased depth. Her off-court endeavors in the fitness industry are congruent with herself as an athlete. Howard’s dependability ensures that she remains at the top of the list of the highest-paid female NBA players in the world in 2026.

7. Satou Sabally

8. Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner, who was a two-time Olympic gold winner and a previous Defensive Player of the Year, brings in $214,466 after being traded to the Atlanta Dream in 2025. This is recognition of her legacy as a player who has won the award twice. Even after her 2022 detention drama, the Baylor legend continues to have a remarkable shot-blocking ability and averages 15.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Griner is a humanitarian ambassador and an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and her tenacity serves as an inspiration to people all around the world. The Dream is given more star power as a result of her transfer to Atlanta. Fans of the female NBA player who earns the highest salary in the world in 2026 will find that Griner’s combination of domination and storytelling boosts the standing of the league.

9. Marina Mabrey

For the final spot on our list, we have Marina Mabrey of the Chicago Sky, who brings home approximately $214,000 per year (according to recent extensions). With a shooting percentage of 40.3% from beyond the arc and an average of 12.0 points and 4.0 assists, she was a sharpshooter for Notre Dame and a draft pick in 2019. Sky has become more stable as a result of Mabrey’s development as a combo guard. In light of the fact that her endorsement potential is growing, she is a good bet for future supermax discussions. In 2026, Mabrey is one of the most paid female NBA players in the world, and she exemplifies the transition that the league is experiencing in terms of shooting and depth.

10. Kelsey Mitchell

With a total of $248,134, Kahleah Copper, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, completes the top five. Copper, a product of Rutgers University and a champion with the Chicago Sky in 2020 (when she received the Most Valuable Player award in the Finals), brings a championship pedigree to the desert. An explosive drive, perimeter defense, and an average of 18.2 points and 4.1 rebounds in 2024 are all examples of her game, which exemplifies the concept of Grit. Copper has received All-Defensive accolades and is playing an increasingly important part in the rebuilding of Mercury. In addition to this, she is an outspoken leader on issues of social justice, bringing attention to the voices of black athletes. Copper’s two-way skill warrants her near-supermax contract, which positions Phoenix for a deep playoff run in 2026. Copper is among the most paid female NBA players in the world.