The Foundation of the Aces' Success
Ever since the WNBA collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was ratified in March, the intentions of superstar A’ja Wilson were clear: she was committed to remaining with the Las Vegas Aces. Over her eight-season tenure in Las Vegas, Wilson has secured three championships and four MVP titles, serving as the heartbeat of the franchise's dominance throughout the 2020s.
While the Aces boast a talented roster, the team's championship formula is anchored by Wilson’s generational ability. Retaining such a player is arguably the most difficult hurdle in building a title-contending squad, allowing the front office to build around her rather than scrambling to fill an MVP-sized void.
Strategic Roster Retention
Wilson’s commitment served as the primary catalyst for the rest of the team. Her decision to return influenced key starters such as Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, NaLyssa Smith, and Kierstan Bell, along with vital reserves like Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans, to follow suit.
«We focused on player retention,» stated Aces president Nikki Fargas. «When you have a roster that is as talented and seasoned as ours going into this offseason, that was huge for us.»
Navigating the New Financial Landscape
The implementation of the new CBA brought significant changes, most notably a nearly five-fold increase in the salary cap—rising from $1.5 million in 2025 to $7 million in 2026. Furthermore, the share of the cap available to top-tier players has expanded, with the supermaximum salary now set at 20 percent of the total cap, compared to less than 17 percent previously.
The Aces were uniquely positioned to leverage these changes, as they held multiple players deserving of max-level contracts. While Young and Gray secured significant new deals, Wilson signed a three-year supermaximum contract. Sources indicate that this deal represents the most lucrative contract in WNBA history, potentially exceeding $4.7 million over three years should the salary cap reach its maximum projected growth by 2028.
The Innovation of the 'Floating' Supermax
Wilson’s contract is distinct due to its structure as a «floating» supermax, which links the salary directly to league revenue. Unlike historical contracts with fixed annual caps, this agreement ties potential growth to the business performance of the WNBA.
This structure reflects a calculated bet by Wilson on the league's continued financial expansion. While it introduces some variability, it provides the Aces with a clearer roadmap for future salary cap management. By securing their core players—Wilson, Gray, and Loyd—on strategic three-year terms, the franchise aims to balance long-term continuity with the flexibility needed to retain talent like Young in future offseasons.
Building a Legacy
Despite the potential for higher earnings elsewhere, the majority of the Aces' roster chose to return to Las Vegas. The team's culture and the prospect of continuing their historic run proved to be powerful incentives.
«I’m thankful to be able to be a part of a franchise that people want to be a part of,» Wilson noted during media day. «People want to make history. People want to be a part of this legendary run that we’ve been on.»