'The Product is There': Dallas Wings’ Arike Ogunbowale Calls for Higher WNBA Salaries

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale has long been one of the WNBA’s most explosive scorers. She’s also become one of the league’s most decorated players — and a leading voice in the push for greater compensation.

Asked what she wants to see change with WNBA salaries, Ogunbowale didn’t hesitate.

“Zeros,” she said. “That’s the main goal. The talent is there. The product is there. Now we need to be compensated for it.”

Ogunbowale signed a three-year, $725,952 contract with the Wings in 2022, with the full amount guaranteed. The deal carries an average annual salary of $241,984, and she is set to earn that figure again in 2025, the final year of her deal.

Despite ranking among the highest-paid players in the league, Ogunbowale believes WNBA salaries still fall far short of what athletes deserve, especially as the league gains traction with fans and media partners. Viewership is rising, arenas are drawing larger crowds, and corporate sponsorships are expanding.

Her comments reflect a growing sentiment among players that the current economic model, even with gains from the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, is outdated. That deal raised the salary cap, introduced full maternity benefits, and improved travel conditions. But many players say those steps aren’t enough to keep pace with the league’s momentum.