UK’s rookies could make much more than previous WNBA newcomers. Here’s why
Due to a historic new collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the WNBA Player’s Association, this year’s rookie class will enter the league as the richest — and best-positioned to make a final roster — in the WNBA’s young history.
While there is no guarantee Kentucky’s program-best four draft picks will make final rosters this year, Teonni Key (Toronto Tempo), Tonie Morgan (Chicago Sky), Amelia Hassett (Los Angeles Sparks) and Jordan Obi (Las Vegas Aces) could make more than three times the base salary that UK’s 2025 first-round pick, Georgia Amoore, was promised, and nearly four times as much as Rhyne Howard, the program’s only top overall draft pick, earned in her 2022 rookie season.
The WNBA remains one of the most difficult leagues in professional sports to crack a final roster, given the scarcity of teams. But the new CBA dictates that teams must roster at least 11 active players — and a maximum of 12 active players, a figure unaffected by the new bargaining agreement — throughout the season.
The new CBA also allows teams to keep an additional two players on the roster in player development spots. Players occupying those positions can participate in practices and other team activities, but they cannot be active for more than than 12 games in a season.
The 2026 season also welcomes two expansion franchises to the league — the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, bringing the total number of teams to 15. The WNBA has announced additional new franchises coming to Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030), too.
For this season, Key, Morgan, Hassett, Obi and the 41 other 2026 draftees will contend for a maximum of 180 roster spots and up to 30 player development spots league-wide.
In the WNBA, notably, many drafted rookies do not make a final roster, and organizational fit has proven more important than draft slot.
Per Front Office Sports, an unprecedented 20 of 38 drafted rookies made opening day rosters last season. That was up from 13 of 36 total draftees in 2024. (The Golden State Valkyries were an expansion team last season.)
Show me the money
So how much money do the Kentucky quarter of draftees stand to make if they’re included on opening day rosters?
Thanks to the new CBA, the average WNBA salary in 2026 exceeds $580,000 — an increase of more than $450,000 from last year.
The new agreement also mandates that players drafted in the second and third rounds of the draft (picks 16-45 this year) who make a roster earn a base salary of $270,000 in their first year, $288,600 in their second year and $317,460 in their third year.
These numbers do not include bonuses or individual brand deals, but instead are reflective of what is the first-ever comprehensive revenue-sharing model in the history of women’s professional sports — and just how explosive the growth of the league has been in recent years.
Though the negotiated fourth-year base salary for second- and third-round picks is $358,730, the CBA also contains a renegotiation plan, according to ESPN, meant to “fast-track the ability for players on rookie-scale contracts to make maximum and supermax salaries.”
If a player on a rookie contract earns first- or second-team All-WNBA honors, the player can renegotiate the final year of the initial deal to make the league’s maximum salary. If they are named league MVP, a player would be eligible for a more valuable supermax contract. Fourth-year renegotiation would also mean a three-year contract extension for the player.
Per Sportico, any 2026 rookie who receives All-Rookie recognition will receive a $5,000 bonus, and the 2026 Rookie of the Year will be rewarded with $15,000.
Training camp began April 19, and preseason games will start April 25. Opening-day rosters must be finalized ahead of the start of the 2026 season, which officially tips off May 8.
What WNBA GMs say about UK’s rookie class
Here’s a recap of each franchise that drafted a UK player this spring, and what each organization’s leadership had to say about its rookies.
Toronto Tempo
WNBA debut: 2026.
Head coach: Sandy Brondello.
Names to know: Temi Fagbenle, Marina Mabrey, Kia Nurse, Brittney Sykes.
2026 WNBA Draft class: No. 6 Kiki Rice, UCLA; No. 22 Teonni Key, Kentucky; No. 26 Saffron Shiels*, Australia; No. 36 Charlise Dunn*, Davidson.
Team comments: “With their picks, Toronto selected ... a group that aligns with the club’s long-term vision as the first WNBA team in Canada prepares for their first season. Key can immediately impact the game at the next level, showing some of the best athletic traits in this draft class.”
*Khristina Williams of MSG Network reported that neither Shiels not Dunn are expected to join the WNBA this season, though the Tempo will hold the rights to both players.
Chicago Sky
WNBA debut: 2006.
Head coach: Tyler Marsh.
Names to know: DiJonai Carrington, Skylar Diggins, Rickea Jackson, Azurá Stevens.
2026 WNBA Draft class: No. 5 Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA; No. 21 Latasha Lattimore, Ole Miss; No. 32 Tonie Morgan, Kentucky.
Team comments: “Tonie is one of the premier playmakers in basketball, leading the SEC in assists this year. We’re thrilled to land a player of this caliber in the third round.”
Los Angeles Sparks
WNBA debut: 1997 (original franchise).
Head coach: Lynne Roberts.
Names to know: Cameron Brink, Dearica Hamby, Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Plum.
2026 WNBA Draft class: No. 20 Ta’Niya Latson, South Carolina; No. 24 Chance Gray, Ohio State; No. 35 Amelia Hassett, Kentucky.
Team comments: “Amelia is a fantastic three-point shooter. She finished eighth in the SEC in rebounding, had a high stock (steals + blocks) rate and is a talented shot blocker. She’s an exciting player who fits our system well.”
Las Vegas Aces
WNBA debut: 2018*.
Head coach: Becky Hammon
Names to know: Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young.
2026 WNBA Draft class: No. 29 Janiah Barker, Tennessee; No. 44 Jordan Obi, Kentucky.
Team comments: “Jordan is a versatile guard/forward whose skillset can translate into the WNBA. She is a high motor player who gives maximum effort every night and sets the tone with her energy and hustle.
“We’re eager to see both our rookies hit the ground running and learning from experienced veterans on a championship caliber team.”
*The Aces were founded in 1997 as the Utah Starzz before moving to San Antonio as the Silver Stars in 2003 and rebranding to simply the Stars in 2014 prior to the 2018 move to Las Vegas, when the franchise rebranded again as the Aces.
