WNBL player salaries have been boosted under a new deal by Basketball Australia and the Australian Basketball Players' Association.
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Under the arrangement the Total Player Payment for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons will be boosted to $420,000 and no lower than $336,000.
Bendigo Spirit coach Tracy York welcomed the announcement.
"This is a positive step in the right direction for the league's players," she said.
"But there's still room for improvement in the future."
BA head of women in basketball Lauren Jackson AO said the introduction of the Total Player Payment system was part of the WNBL's vision to become a fully professional league.
"Having worked with the Australian Basketball Players' Association to announce the league's inaugural Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2020, the introduction of a Total Player Payment system not only signifies improved conditions for our athletes but is done in a way which is financially responsible and supports the goal of delivering equilibrium across the eight clubs to have the strongest league possible," Jackson said.
"The progression towards a fully professional league is not only a nod to those incredible women who have come before and the current athletes who continue to make the league such an exciting and respected product, but to the future stars who aspire to play in the WNBL as the country's sport of choice."
Minimum payment will grow from $13,500 for the 2021/22 season to $15,000 for 2022/23, where no less than ten rostered players are to be contracted, which includes up to one amateur and two restricted athletes.
There will also be a Luxury Tax within the TPP for clubs who spend over the TPP in supporting equal play across the eight clubs, in addition to a Marquee Player allowance that gives clubs the ability to retain and obtain domestic stars.
Australian Basketball Players' Association chief executive Jacob Holmes said the agreement formed strong foundations for the future.
"The new WNBL TPP system provides for the highest average wage across the WNBL in recorded history, and significant increases in the mandatory minimum spend of each WNBL club.
"We're pleased to continue our work to advance the professionalism of the WNBL with the league and Clubs not only for players today, but for the future of the sport."
The 2021/22 season fixture and structure will be announced in the coming months,
However, Bendigo Spirit have wasted no time in organising an all star team for the season which so far includes Tessa Lavey, Leilani Mitchell, Demi Skinner, Anneli Maley and Maddie Garrick.
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