Arike Ogunbowale Opens Up on Becoming a Million-Dollar WNBA Player After New CBA

The WNBA is ready to break the shackles with the new CBA Terms, allowing it to show the growth in commercial terms, too. Players earning high salaries, franchises with more spending power, and competition getting fiercer, with lucrative accolades on the way. The Wings’ veteran guard, Arike Ogunbowale, who was away from the action and just returned to the States, shared her views on the new CBA era in the league.

Ogunbowale’s Dallas Wings return in doubt after WCBA Finals punishment, but the player made it just in time and joined the practice facilities, too.

Arike Ogunbowale Speaks About Million Dollar Contract

With the Wings’ franchise earning the 2026 first overall pick, there were speculations around Ogunbowale’s future in the Texas franchise. But the front office not only showed faith in its veteran guard but handed her a million-dollar contract.

Talking about her contract, the 29-year-old star answered questions about her new contract as she said, “It’s amazing. I know it’s deserved, and it’s gonna be great, every year, it’s gonna keep growing. My future kids are hopefully gonna be making like 20m by the time they get to this level. But it’s definitely a blessing to be part of the change.”

A year ago, Arike Ogunbowale was asked what she wanted to see from WNBA salaries ahead of the new CBA. She answered:

“Zeros. A lot of zeros. That's the main goal. … The talent is there, the product is there, now we need to be compensated for it. There need to be a… pic.twitter.com/QWeGWiiMCy

— Melissa Triebwasser (@TheCoachMelissa) May 6, 2026

“I think I’m right in the middle where I saw the end of the old WNBA and now I’m seeing the new WNBA, and it’s just a blessing that I’m right now playing in this time and being able to reap the benefits of everybody who paved the way,” Ogunbowale added.

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The 2019 rookie instantly became the heart of the Dallas Wings’ developmental plans and is now the veteran presence and mentor for the incoming stars. The player was eligible for the supermax salary but took a pay cut to allow the franchise to sign quality free agents.

The GM also praised her loyalty, as he wants to keep the relationship between the franchise and the star player strong.

GM Curt Miller Sees Arike Ogunbowale As Part of the Wings’ Core

After a disappointing finish to the 2025 season, the Wings got a chance to reshuffle their roster with massive free agency and also the top pick in the draft. The front office made the most of the opportunity and added players like Jessica Shepars, Alanna Smith, and Alysha Grey to the lineup through free agency and Azzi Fudd via the draft.

Speaking to the media, the GM mentioned that she sees Bueckers, Ogunbowale, and Fudd as the key rotation pieces in the franchise, noting that the three guards will be lining up for the season.

Quality-wise, the team ranks among the top five in the league and now needs to deliver on the floor to reach the playoffs and make a deep run.