Minnesota Lynx Assistant Coach Humorously Reacts To Receiving $100K From New WNBA CBA As A Retired Player

The WNBA 2026 season will be ‘transformative’, as commissioner Cathy Engelbert said, with higher-earning opportunities and more facilities for players. Satou Sabally praised Cathy Engelbert for her role in the CBA and for delivering the promise. Now the deal has another fan, a former player and the Minnesota Lynx’s assistant coach.

While A’ja Wilson set a record with the most lucrative WNBA contract, Aliyah Boston set a record with the highest value contract, and the rookie Azzi Fudd earned a half-million-dollar contract, former WNBA stars will also earn a respectable sum post-retirement.

Minnesota Lynx Assistant Coach Reacts To $100K From New WNBA CBA

The recent CBA features one-time recognition payments based on the service time of the former players. As per the slabs, the league will hand $30k for 5-7 years of service, $50k for 8-11 years of service and $100k for 12+ years of gametime in the league. This landmark deal aims to reward veterans who built the league, ensuring they benefit from current growth.

Lindsay Whalen played for 15 seasons in the league and is entitled to the $100k amount. Talking about the same, she said, “I guess dinners on me then(smiles)… 100k for 15 years so.. I got expensive dogs, so they eat expensive food, that money can go to the next vet bill that they run up or the next round of golf… I highly appreciate that.”

Lindsay Whalen on retired WNBA players receiving money based off of years of service thanks to the new CBA.

“I guess dinners on me then(smiles)… 100k for 15 years so.. I got expensive dogs, so they eat expensive food, that money can go to the next vet bill that they run up or… pic.twitter.com/MWRYRnEHje

— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) April 22, 2026

The new CBA deal had been one of the most impactful for the current players who are earning a massive amount now, and also the past players who built the league. Veteran star Brittney Griner acknowledged that the past WNBA CBA “didn’t value us”, and now the player and teams have some ‘luxury’.

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Talking about the teams, the Lynx failed to attract many free agents in the offseason, yet made some shrewd signings to keep them a competitive team in the league. The side still has ‘room’ to grow with the available salary cap, though.

Minnesota Lynx With Substantial Salary Cap Availability

The former champion’s 2026 salary commitments are led by Napheesa Collier. The franchise player holds a supermax contract worth $1,400,000. Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams will be earning approximately $1,190,000 each. Other significant veteran salaries include Natasha Howard at $700,000 and Nia Coffey at $350,000.

As for the younger core, the roster has Dorka Juhasz at $318,910, Anastasiia Kosu at $277,500, and Aubrey Griffin at $270,000, while top draft pick Olivia Miles accounts for $466,913. Regarding the pending cap, the team currently has roughly $1,300,000 in unspent space out of their $7,000,000 total limit.

Breaking: Napheesa Collier is signing a one-year $1.4 million super max contract with the Minnesota Lynx, sources tell @kendra__andrews.

She’s the third player in the WNBA to sign a super max deal. pic.twitter.com/NI49XNoD88

— ESPN (@espn) April 17, 2026

With about $5.7 million already committed to these nine players, this remaining cushion allows the front office to sign an impactful star while still leaving room for mid-season adjustments or emergency injury replacements.