Aliyah Boston Signs Record $6.3 Million WNBA Deal After New CBA Lifts Pay
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 21
Aliyah Boston Signs Record $6.3 Million WNBA Deal After New CBA Lifts Pay
2 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 21
Summary
Aliyah Boston agreed to a four-year Indiana Fever extension worth $6.3 million, the largest total salary in WNBA history under the league’s new EPIC contract provision.
The deal was unlocked by the WNBA’s new CBA, which runs through 2032 and raised the salary cap to $7 million, lifted the supermax to $1.4 million and increased minimum pay from $67,000 to $300,000.
Boston will make $1 million in 2026 and receive 20% of the salary cap in each season through 2029, surpassing A’ja Wilson’s earlier record three-year, $5 million contract.
The pay surge follows a broader boom: the league struck media deals worth more than $3 billion, drew more than 2.5 million fans in 2025 and is marking its 30th anniversary with expansion and rising franchise values.
With franchise values soaring, is the WNBA's rapid expansion creating a talent bubble that's destined to pop?
As new salaries lure global talent, are we witnessing the decline of international women's basketball leagues?
Beyond the 'Caitlin Clark effect,' is the league's billion-dollar future built on a sustainable foundation for long-term growth?
How the 2026 WNBA CBA and Aliyah Boston’s Historic Contract Are Transforming Player Pay and Team Building
Overview
In April 2026, Aliyah Boston signed a historic contract extension with the Indiana Fever, marking a pivotal moment for both her career and the WNBA. This record-breaking deal immediately reshaped the league’s financial landscape and set a new standard for player compensation. The landmark agreement was made possible by the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which was agreed upon and unanimously ratified by players after extensive negotiations. The new CBA introduced significant changes, including major pay raises and league revenue sharing, signaling a transformative era for women’s professional basketball.