WNBL Announces Record Pay Deal for Players
The basketball league’s new leadership team have agreed with the Players’ Association on a new CBA.
The Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) and Australian Basketball Players’ Association (ABPA) have announced a landmark four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) ushering in a new era for women’s basketball.
Under the new CBA, WNBL players will see a 104 percent increase in minimum wages by the 2028/29 season, reaching over $46,900. Crucially, the deal established pro-rata minimum wage parity with the National Basketball League (NBL) from year three of the term.
The league’s salary cap floor is also set for a raise with the WNBL and ABPA committing to an annual increase of eight percent, culminating in a cap of over $723,500 by the end of the term.
These provisions are to ensure players have the security and support they need to focus on their professional growth without compromise.
WNBL CEO Jennie Sager said the new CBA is a strong foundation for the league’s future, providing stability for current players while inspiring young athletes.
“This is more than a pay deal – it’s a declaration of intent,” Mrs Sager said.
“It’s creating an environment where players can thrive on and off the court. With this agreement, we are not only delivering pay parity, but we are investing and supporting the wellbeing and careers of our athletes.
“This is the kind of change that retains talent in Australia and signals to every young girl picking up a basketball that there is a future here.”
Former WNBL player and Olympian Lauren Jackson echoed Mrs Sager’s sentiment.
“We have worked towards this moment for years,” Ms Jackson said.
“The new CBA allows the league to take the steps it needs to give our current players security to push and chase their dreams while inspires young athletes to choose basketball as their sport.”
A key feature of the CBA is its investment and dedicated funding for the ABPA’s Wellbeing and Engagement Services. Starting at $52,000 and growing to $136,000 over the agreement term, this initiative will provide players access to mental health support, career development, and personal wellbeing programs. Any new clubs entering the WNBL will also contribute to these services, further strengthening the league’s support framework.
Players Association CEO, Jacob Holmes, and Chairman Greg O’Neill have been working on this deal with their members for over two years and emphasised the significance of the new agreement and flow on investment into female basketballers in this country.
“This agreement marks a historic milestone and is the biggest single equity leap forward in WNBL history. WNBL players are now going to be invested in at a level that truly reflects their talent and dedication,” Holmes said.
“The establishment of pro rata minimum wage parity linked to the NBL across the term of the Agreement, as well as significant increases in player wages, wellbeing support, and contractual security, underscores the vision from the Players Association. We all recognise the WNBL is a world-class women’s basketball competition both on and off the court.”
With a shared vision now clearly defined, the WNBL and the ABPA are united in building a stronger, more sustainable future for women’s basketball in Australia.
As the 2025/26 season approaches, this agreement sets the tone for a thrilling new era of opportunity, professionalism, and pride in the longest-running elite women’s sporting competition in the country.
Ultimately it will be the salary cap that limits how many of the very top players will play here vs Europe, so I don't think this new CBA signals a quantum shift for the quality of the league. But fixing up the minimum salaries is an ideal first step IMO to solidify the depth of the league, maintain some parity between the teams, and incentivise all of the best NBL1 players to participate in the WNBL. So I like this.