A’ja Wilson’s Record 4th MVP Sets Stage for Free Agency, CBA Standoff

Las Vegas Aces center-forward A'ja Wilson made history by becoming the first player in league history to win four MVP awards, as announced on Sunday. The 29-year-old received a specially designed Tiffany & Co. trophy and a $15,450 bonus, which amounts to just over 7.7% of her $200,000 salary for the season—tied for the 19th-highest in the WNBA. Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, who finished fifth in MVP voting, is the league's highest-paid player this year at $269,244.

Wilson and the Aces are currently facing Mitchell and the Fever in the WNBA playoff semifinals. In a surprising turn of events, Indiana won Game 1 of the five-game series on Sunday with a score of 89–73, defying most experts' expectations.

Prior to Wilson's achievement, only three other WNBA players had won three MVP awards in their careers: Sheryl Swoopes (2000, 2002, 2005), Lisa Leslie (2001, 2004, 2006), and Lauren Jackson (2003, 2007, 2010). Wilson, an eight-year professional, also secured the MVP title in 2020, 2022, and 2024.

Following her third MVP win last year, Wilson signed a six-year extension to her endorsement deal with Nike. In May, her first signature shoe, the Nike A'One, sold out within minutes of its online release. She also maintains a major endorsement partnership with Gatorade.

After the playoffs conclude, Wilson will become an unrestricted free agent, positioning her to negotiate a significant raise—potentially making her the first WNBA player to sign a $1 million contract. Her career earnings in the league, including her 2025 salary, currently total $1,031,642, ranking 26th all-time.

However, as Wilson enters free agency, the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement is set to expire, and it appears increasingly unlikely that a new deal will be reached by the October 31 deadline.