The NBA and WNBA have significant differences in their finances. The supermax contract in the WNBA is valued at $241,984 per season, while NBA contracts often include bonuses that can surpass this amount due to the NBA’s strong commercial presence.
For instance, Taurean Prince made history by becoming the first NBA player to earn a million dollars for winning the NBA championship two seasons in a row – first with the Lakers and then with the Bucks.
For veterans like Taurean Prince, a million-dollar payout is just a fraction of their nearly $52 million career earnings. In contrast, WNBA players would consider such an amount as monumental, being four times the WNBA supermax contract.
In the WNBA, players can qualify for a supermax contract by signing an extension of their rookie scale contract. For instance, Sabrina Ionescu will be eligible in 2026 after completing the required five years. Jackie Young, the highest-paid player in the 2024 season with a salary of $252,450, had to wait five years to be eligible for a supermax as well.
Another way for a WNBA player to earn a supermax is through veteran extensions, which can be 120% of the base salary or the final year of their contract.
Let’s explore some NBA contract bonuses that exceed $241,984.
NBA Bonuses Exceeding the WNBA Supermax
#1 Jrue Holiday’s $2.8 million Bonus
When Jrue Holiday helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA championship in 2024, he received a $1 million bonus for winning the title. Holiday accumulated a total of $2.8 million in bonuses by meeting six specified conditions throughout the 2024 season.
#2 Kevin Durant’s $1.2 million All-Star Bonus
In 2023, Kevin Durant earned $1.2 million for his 13th consecutive All-Star appearance. Durant, a prominent and consistent NBA star, has now reached 14 All-Star game selections by 2024.
There is a stark difference in financial incentives for All-Star weekend between the NBA and WNBA. While NBA players receive a $100,000 bonus for playing in the game, WNBA players only get a base payout of $2,500.
WNBA All-Star Weekend Payouts
#3 Kyrie Irving’s 50-win Bonus
In April 2024, Kyrie Irving received a $1.1 million bonus for helping the Mavs achieve their 50th regular-season win. Irving’s $126 million contract is filled with incentives that exceed the WNBA supermax.
With the WNBA’s growing popularity, it’s time for star players like Caitlin Clark to receive fair compensation. The supermax contract is expected to increase to $256,721 by 2026, potentially leading to more progress as young talents develop into stars.
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Edited by Nadim El Kak
