Las Vegas Aces' Jackie Young To Become WNBA's First $1 Million USD Player

Summary

• Jackie Young and the Las Vegas Aces are close to agreeing on a one-year contract worth $1.19 million USD, according to a Thursday report from ESPN
• The monumental agreement will officially make the four-time All-Star the first million-dollar athlete in the history of the WNBA
• The deal keeps the 28-year-old guard off the free-agent market as the Aces look to retain other key stars like A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray

The Las Vegas Aces are officially making WNBA history. According to recent reports, All-Star guard Jackie Young and the Aces are close to agreeing on a groundbreaking one-year deal. Expected to be worth $1.19 million USD, the landmark contract reported by ESPN will officially make Young the very first million-dollar athlete in the history of the WNBA, signaling a massive financial shift for the league’s top talent and setting a new benchmark for player compensation.

The reported $1.19 million USD figure represents the maximum salary amount for players who are not eligible for the WNBA’s newly established $1.4 million USD max contract. By securing this lucrative deal, the Aces successfully keep the 28-year-old standout off the open free-agent market ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive and historic offseason.

Young has been an instrumental piece of the Aces’ ongoing dynasty. Drafted first overall by Las Vegas out of Notre Dame in 2019, she has blossomed into a premier two-way player. During the 2025 season, the guard averaged an impressive 16.5 points, 5.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, helping power the Aces to their third WNBA championship in just four years. Over the course of her career, Young has racked up a highly decorated resume, including four All-Star appearances, two All-WNBA selections, and the 2022 Most Improved Player award. She also boasts two Olympic gold medals—winning in 3×3 at the Tokyo Games and 5-on-5 in Paris—alongside a 2018 NCAA national championship.

With Young’s return reportedly guaranteed, the Aces’ front office can now shift its focus toward securing the rest of its championship core. The franchise will heavily attempt to retain superstar center A’ja Wilson—a four-time MVP and two-time Finals MVP who has already stated her desire to return to Vegas—along with six-time All-Star guard Chelsea Gray.

As the historic $1.19 million USD agreement nears finalization, Jackie Young’s contract officially ushers in a new, highly lucrative era for WNBA free agency.