WNBA All-Star players earn just $2,575 to participate, with MVPs getting $5,150 — raising questions as sponsor bonuses far exceed league payouts
18:27 ET, 08 Jul 2025
The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN, on Saturday, July 19(Image: Getty)
As the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game approaches, a growing chorus of critics is highlighting the unexpectedly low compensation players receive for participating.
Every athlete selected — regardless of starter status, performance, or final result — will earn just $2,575 for playing in the July 19 exhibition in Indianapolis. While an MVP bonus of $5,150 and identical $2,575 awards for 3-point and skills competition champions exist, these figures pale in comparison to the payouts in rival leagues.
In 2024, Allisha Gray captured both side events and collected around $115,150, supplementing her $185,000 salary — nearly matching her single-season earnings.
Still, WNBA players argue these bonus amounts are insufficient. The average player salary sits at $117,133, making the $2,575 participation fee a mere 2.1 percent of that figure. By contrast, NBA All-Star winners earn $125,000 — a fraction of 1.35 percent of the league’s $9.19 million annual average salary.
The disparity extends beyond All-Star pay: WNBA championship bonuses significantly lag behind those awarded at the Commissioner’s Cup, triggering disgruntlement among stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
WNBPA President and veteran All-Star Nneka Ogwumike has voiced strong criticism, calling for a structural overhaul: “There’s room for reconstruction. [All-Star bonuses] are another component of the salary and compensation in terms of performance bonuses.
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“What we’re looking to do is not just have a percentage of a higher salary. We’re looking for a revenue share that is reflective across the board for all players. So, as an All-Star, I definitely know, feel, and expect to be able to be rewarded in a much better way.”
Her stance comes amid tense collective bargaining talks, with negotiations stretching into All-Star weekend. The union has labeled the league’s proposals a “slap in the face,” particularly as the WNBA seeks a piece of its growing $2.2 billion media rights deal.
The union’s awareness that only around 9–10 percent of league revenue goes to players, compared to 50 percent in the NBA, reinforces calls for change.
Prominent voices such as Angel Reese and Sophie Cunningham added fuel to the fire, emphasizing earnings don’t reflect the league’s rising valuation or popularity.
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If negotiations falter by the October 31 deadline, a labor action might ensue, putting the 2026 season at risk. With viewership up, attendance rising, and A-list media deals in place, many argue the WNBA is at a pivotal juncture and needs equitable compensation to solidify sustainable growth.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State junior Joslyn Richardson was one of four repeat honorees on the 2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team released by conference officials Monday. A total of seven volleyball athletes league-wide were named to the team that was voted on by the membership’s faculty athletic representatives and sports information directors.
Richardson, a two-time Summit League Scholar of the Championship presented by JLG Architects, collected the second all-academic honor of her career.
Richardson played every match as the Jackrabbits’ libero in 2025 and led the team in digs per set with 3.31. She also set a new program record with 41 ace serves this year.
To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions.
Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s ten institutions and voting is conducted by both the SIDs and facility athletic representatives (FARs). The team is made up of the seven student-athletes receiving the most votes with all ties standing.
2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team
MADISON, Wis. — In a surprising move on the volleyball court, Una Vajagic has announced that she is entering the transfer portal. This news is a stunner for Badger fans, as the sophomore ranked second on the team in kills and becomes the first Badger starter to leave since their national semifinal run.
Vajagic was expected to take on a larger role next season with the graduation of Mimi Colyer and Carter Booth. However, head coach Kelly Sheffield is already taking steps to replenish the roster, bringing in Florida’s Jaela Auguste, a Middle Blocker, and Eva Travis, an Outside Hitter from UC-Santa Barbara.
Looking ahead, there is promising news for Wisconsin volleyball. According to PrepDig, Wisconsin boasts the #1 recruiting class in the nation, incoming in 2026. This signals a bright future for the program despite the unexpected departure of Vajagic.
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PRINCETON, N.J. – The Tigers were picked to finish fourth in the EIVA preseason poll, announced Monday. Mason Rice and Ryan Vena were named EIVA preseason players to watch.
With 26 points, Princeton is fourth in the rankings behind Penn State, which was unanimously selected first, NJIT, and George Mason.
Vena and Rice were named players to watch by the EIVA coaches. Vena, a senior middle blocker, was a First Team All-EIVA honoree in 2025. Rice, a sophomore pin, was named to the Second Team All-EIVA after a breakout freshman season.
In 2025, the Tigers went 15-11 overall and 10-2 in the EIVA, winning the EIVA regular season championship before falling to Penn State in the EIVA tournament finals.
The Tigers will kick off the 2026 season on January 3rd as they take on Toronto Metropolitan on the road in Canada. First serve is set for 8 p.m.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Senior middle blocker Ally Barth has been named to the Summit League Volleyball All-Academic Team for the first time in her career, the league office announced on Monday afternoon.
Barth boasts a 3.94 GPA in Management Communication and was one of seven players in the Summit League to earn a spot on the Academic All-League Team. The Verona, Wis., native was also named to the CSC Academic All-District Team for the third time in her career earlier this month.
To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions, except pitchers who must have participated in 20 percent of their team’s total contests.
Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s participating members, and voting is conducted by both SIDs and FARs.
The full Summit League release can be viewed here.
FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason Men’s Volleyball team has been selected to finish third in the 2026 EIVA Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference announced Monday afternoon. The Patriots are only behind Penn State and NJIT, with the Nittany Lions claiming the unanimous choice to top the group for the second straight year.
George Mason ended their 2025 season with a 16-13 overall record and a conference record of 6-6. After sweeping Charleston (WV) in the first round of the EIVA tournament, the Patriots’ season came to a close when they lost 3-1 to top-seeded Princeton in the semifinals
Redshirt senior outside hitter Liam French and sophomore middle blocker Alexander Lillie were also selected to the 2026 EIVA Players to Watch list. French played 72 sets from 24 matches and scored 233 points with 191 kills. The Virginia Beach, Va., native also had 29 service aces, the second-most on the team, as well as a .242 hitting percentage, 57 digs and 22 blocks. French recorded a season-high of four service aces against Charleston (WV) on April 23rd.
Lillie’s freshman campaign was a decorated one, as he was named a three-time EIVA Defensive Player of the Week and was also selected to the EIVA First-Team. The Ronkonkoma, N.Y., product appeared in 82 sets across 24 matches and recorded 30 solo blocks, which was the second-most in the country. In total, his 94 blocks with 1.132 blocks per set was good enough for ninth-best in the country as well.
George Mason starts off the 2026 season in Salisbury, N.C., on January 10th when the Patriots face off against Catawba College. After two more away games in Columbus, Ohio, against Ohio State (Jan. 15) and Long Beach State (Jan. 16), the Patriots will host their home opener against Merrimack on Jan. 24th at 6 pm at the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC).
Flathead High School on Friday announced the resignation of head coach Emily Russell, who had led the Bravettes Volleyball program for the past six years.
The Flathead Activities Department will begin the hiring process after the holiday break, aiming to present a candidate recommendation to the Board of Trustees by February, according to a press release from the school.
“We are excited about the level of work ethic and talent that our returning players bring to the program,” Matt Allison, assistant principal and activities director, said. “The Flathead Activities mission is developing champions in life and tomorrow’s leaders.
“We will continue to push our student-athletes and this program forward.”
Russel took the helm of the program for the 2020 season, marking a return to her alma mater where as a player she helped lead the Bravettes to the school’s most recent hardware finish at the state tournament.
“A Flathead High School alumna and former setter on the 2012 state runner-up team, Russell returned to her alma mater with a passion for the program and a commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court,” the school said in the press release.
During her time as a coach with the program — one year as an assistant coach and six years as head coach — Russell led the Bravettes to the Class AA state tournament in 2021 where the team finished 1-2.
That state tournament appearance proved to be the winningest season during Russell’s tenure. The Bravettes finished the 2025 season 5-21 overall and 4-10 in the Western AA conference. Both the 2024 and 2025 seasons came to a close with 3-0 defeats in Class AA state tournament games.
“We are excited about the level of work ethic and talent that our returning players bring to the program,” Allison said. “The Flathead Activities mission is developing champions in life and tomorrow’s leaders. We will continue to push our student-athletes and this program forward.”
