A Groundbreaking Financial Milestone (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Las Vegas – A’ja Wilson, the WNBA’s first four-time MVP, signed a three-year supermax contract worth $5 million to stay with the Las Vegas Aces. The fully guaranteed deal represents the richest in league history and begins with a $1.4 million salary for the upcoming season.[1][2] This extension secures the superstar center for the franchise that drafted her first overall in 2018. Wilson expressed her loyalty to the team amid a transformative period for WNBA salaries.
A Groundbreaking Financial Milestone
The contract escalates over its term, with Wilson’s pay tied to 20 percent of the Aces’ salary cap under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. Salaries will rise in subsequent years thanks to an improved revenue-sharing model.[1] Negotiated by her agent Jade-Li English of Klutch Sports Group, the pact surpasses all prior WNBA agreements. The Aces announced the signing without revealing terms publicly.
Prior to this, Wilson earned $200,000 in 2025, highlighting the dramatic pay jump enabled by recent labor advancements. This supermax structure mirrors a one-year deal for Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, the only other such contract currently in the league.[3] Teammates like Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd accepted deals below the max to support roster flexibility.[2]
Wilson’s Path to Greatness
Drafted No. 1 by the Aces in 2018, Wilson spent her entire eight-year career in Las Vegas. She led the team to championships in 2022 and 2023, earning Finals MVP honors the latter year. Last season, she became the first player in WNBA or NBA history to claim the scoring title, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in one campaign.[1]
Her 2025 stats underscored her versatility: 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game on 50.5 percent shooting. Wilson also secured Olympic gold with Team USA in 2021 and 2024. At South Carolina, she won an NCAA title in 2017 under coach Dawn Staley.
- Four-time WNBA MVP (first ever)
- Three-time WNBA champion
- Seven-time All-Star
- Five-time First Team All-WNBA
- Four-time All-Defensive First Team
- Three-time Defensive Player of the Year
- Two-time Finals MVP
Commitment Echoed by Players and Executives
Wilson affirmed her dedication last week at a USA Basketball training camp. “I love Vegas. I’m not leaving Vegas,” she stated. “I’m looking to win another one. I’m looking to defend a championship that we have in Las Vegas. I’m looking to get better as a leader, as a player.”[1]
Aces president and general manager Nikki Fargas praised the 29-year-old star. “A’ja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today,” Fargas said. “Not only has she catapulted into the history books and surpassed almost every record in existence, but she does so with the utmost confidence, authenticity and grace. We look forward to continuing to see her thrive in an Aces uniform.”[4]
Boost for Aces’ Title Defense
The re-signing returns 90 percent of the 2025 champions’ scoring production, with 75.5 of 83.6 points per game intact. The Aces also added guard Chennedy Carter on a training camp deal; she averaged 14.6 points across prior stops with Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago.[1] Wilson’s presence positions Las Vegas as favorites entering the new era.
The league-wide shift stems from the updated CBA, which lifted the supermax from $250,000 to $1.4 million and beyond. This pact sets precedents for top talents and reflects surging interest in women’s basketball.
Key Takeaways
- A’ja Wilson’s $5 million deal shatters WNBA salary records, starting at $1.4 million.
- As the first four-time MVP, she brings unmatched accolades and stats to the Aces.
- The extension bolsters Las Vegas’ roster for another championship push amid CBA gains.
Wilson’s decision cements her legacy with the Aces while elevating the sport’s economic landscape. The team now eyes a three-peat as free agency unfolds. What do you think this means for the WNBA’s future? Tell us in the comments.
