ABPA Secure Historic Pay Deal with WNBL

The Australian Basketball Players’ Association (ABPA) has successfully negotiated a transformative four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), marking a significant milestone for the growth and development of women’s basketball in Australia.

Signed in April 2025, this landmark agreement constitutes the largest financial investment in the history of the WNBL, which proudly holds the title of the longest-running elite women’s sporting competition in the nation.

The development of this agreement was spearheaded by the Players’ Association, which engaged first with Basketball Australia and subsequently with the newly formed WNBL ownership syndicate.

Commenting on the partnership, Players’ Association chairman, Greg O’Neill, said: “It’s a testimony of the genuine working partnerships that are making basketball stronger together.”

Players’ Association, chief executive officer, Jacob Holmes, added: “This agreement marks a historic milestone and is the biggest single leap forward in WNBL history.”

“WNBL players are now going to be invested in at a level that truly reflects their talent and dedication.

“The emphasis on elevating player wages, wellbeing support, and contractual security embodies the Players’ Association’s commitment to achieving gender parity within the sport,” Holmes said.

Further acknowledging the collective effort of the players and the Association in pushing meaningful changes that promote equality, Holmes, remarked: “We couldn’t be prouder of the unity, passion, and relentless drive to lift the game for each other and for the next generation of players,” he affirmed.

Lastly, remarking the deal as the dawn of a new era for women’s basketball in Australia while highlighting its holistic approach beyond salary increase, WNBL CEO, Jennie Sager, said: “This is more than a pay deal—it is a declaration of intent and our commitment to building an environment where players can truly thrive.”

The excitement around the new agreement is palpable among the players, where Jade Melbourne, a WNBL delegate and Olympian, expressed her enthusiasm for the agreement’s potential impact on future generations of players.

In a pivotal move towards achieving pay equity, the CBA guarantees pro-rata minimum wage parity with the men’s National Basketball League (NBL) over the next four years.

The initiative has received enthusiastic support from the new ownership consortium, which includes Robyn Denholm’s Wollemi Capital Group and Larry Kestelman’s NBL.

As the WNBL gears up for the 2025/26 season with this new agreement in place, it is poised to foster greater enthusiasm and interest in women’s basketball, setting the stage for an exciting future.

Set to take effect from the 2025/26 season, minimum wages for WNBL players will witness a staggering increase of 104%, reaching $46,952.19 by the 2028/29 season.

Key Figures of the Agreement:

• Development Player Minimum Salary: Increasing to $16,548 by 2028/29, reflecting pro-rata parity with NBL development players.
• Player Protections: Full contract protection for injured players.
• Investment in Wellbeing Services: Reaching $136,000 annually by 2028/29.
• Salary Cap Increases: 8% uplift annually, with projections as follows:
  – 2025/26 – $574,348
  – 2026/27 – $620,296
  – 2027/28 – $669,920
  – 2028/29 – $723,513
• Minimum Wage Progression:
  – 2024/25 – $23,000 (current)
  – 2025/26 – $29,465
  – 2026/27 – $35,115
  – 2027/28 – $41,577*
  – 2028/29 – $46,952*

This adjustment aligns minimum wages directly with those of the NBL on a pro-rata basis from the third year onwards.

Additionally, the WNBL salary cap and floor will rise by 8% each year, delivering substantial immediate pay increases for female athletes, as all figures are tied to pro-rata minimum wage parity with the NBL.

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