WNBL increases salary cap to $420,000 in a big step towards professionalism

The move toward a ‘fully professional league’ is getting closer after a total player payment was agreed upon for the next two years that will sent the WNBL salary cap to near the $500k mark.

The WNBL has boosted its salary cap to a record high $420,000 for the 2021/22 season after a new pay deal was reached in a move that will secure the league’s future.

Basketball Australia and the Australian Basketball Players’ Association have agreed upon a total player payment (TPP) system for the next two seasons in a further step towards “a fully professional league”.

The new system provides for the highest average wage across the WNBL in recorded history, and significant increases in the mandatory minimum spend for each club.

Shyla Heal celebrates making it into the WNBA Draft for the Chicago Sky.

A “Luxury Tax” for clubs who spend over the TPP will be applied, as well as a Marquee Player allowance to enable clubs to retain and obtain the best domestic talent.

Last season the Southside Flyers secured the services of controversial Opals star Liz Cambage on their way to a WNBL title.

The league has proven itself as a breeding ground for players with Shyla Heal recently taken at pick eight in the WNBA draft after standout performances for the Townsville Fire.

This new total player payment system will see a salary cap ceiling of $420,000 for the 2021-22 season, with clubs set to pay no less than $336,000.

As per the CBA, the minimum player payment is $13,500 for the 2021-22 season and $15,000 for the 2022-23 season, where no less than 10 rostered players are to be contracted.

The TPP also allows for players to earn additional income through player appearances over and above what is prescribed within the CBA, to help avoid the salary cap scandal which hit Super Netball club, the West Coast Fever.

Southside Flyers took the title last year.

Players can also access scholarship and educational payments outside of the TPP.

Lauren Jackson, Basketball Australia’s Head of Women in Basketball, said the new deal was another step forward in everyone’s collective vision for the WNBL, which is to become a fully professional league.

“The introduction of a Total Player Payment system not only signifies improved conditions for our athletes but is done in a way which is financially responsible and supports the goal of delivering equilibrium across the eight clubs to have the strongest league possible,” Jackson said.

“The WNBL is Australia’s longest-running elite women’s sporting competition and renowned as one of the leading women’s basketball leagues in the world.

“The progression towards a fully professional league is not only a nod to those incredible women who have come before and the current athletes who continue to make the league such an exciting and respected product, but to the future stars who aspire to play in the WNBL as the country’s sport of choice.”

WNBL receives big boost with historic pay deal.

Free agency for the 2021-22 WNBL season opened on April 7, when the eight clubs could open negotiations.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still impacting upon respective state and territory health protocols and in-turn national sporting competitions, the WNBL Commission is currently developing a number of season models for the 2021-22 competition, where the plan is to return to a full 21-game regular season starting in November.

The league is working towards confirming the 2021-22 season model by the end of June.

Broadcast details and the fixture for the 2021-22 Chemist Warehouse WNBL season will be released in due course.

Originally published as WNBL increases salary cap to $420,000 in a big step towards professionalism