Arike Ogunbowale signed a multi-year contract extension with the Dallas Wings, opting for a lower salary to enhance the team's roster flexibility. This decision allows the Wings to sign key free agents for the upcoming season.
Key points
Arike Ogunbowale signed a multi-year contract extension with the Dallas Wings
She took a discount to enhance the team's salary cap flexibility
Ogunbowale could have earned $1.4 million in 2026
The Wings signed Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard as part of the roster improvement
Ogunbowale's decision supports a stronger starting lineup
ARLINGTON, TX — Entering her eighth WNBA season, all played for the Dallas Wings, Arike Ogunbowale knows that transformation sometimes requires sacrifice.
So when Ogunbowale signed a multi-year, seven-figure contract extension to return to Dallas this offseason, she also willingly left some money on the table.
Although Ogunbowale was eligible to receive the WNBA's full $1.4 million supermax salary in 2026, the guard intentionally took less than that figure to give the Wings more financial flexibility to build their roster under the salary cap.
Her decision allowed the Wings to sign free agent forwards Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, who figure to be part of the starting lineup alongside Ogunbowale, Paige Bueckers and this year's No. 1 draft pick, Azzi Fudd.
Speaking after preseason practice on Tuesday, May 5, Ogunbowale said it was an easy call.
"God has blessed me with a good amount of money outside the court that I knew that in order to win here, you have to take less," Ogunbowale said. "All the greats have done it, all the great players. Vegas wouldn't be where they are if people didn't take less. New York has had to do the same and we haven't even touched that. So it was a no-brainer for me to be able to do that to get great players like Lan. I was able to play with her at Unrivaled and I love playing with her. I played with Jess for two years in college. So to be able to get them, it was definitely worth it and I'm excited for what we can do here and glad everybody's getting paid."
2026: Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings (Connecticut)
Q&A
Why did Arike Ogunbowale take a discount on her contract?
Ogunbowale took a discount to provide the Dallas Wings with more financial flexibility under the salary cap.
What is the maximum salary Ogunbowale could have earned in 2026?
Ogunbowale was eligible for the WNBA's full supermax salary of $1.4 million in 2026.
Who are the new players signed by the Dallas Wings?
The Dallas Wings signed free agent forwards Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard to bolster their roster.
What impact does Ogunbowale's contract decision have on the Wings' roster?
Her decision allows the Wings to strengthen their lineup, including new signings and key players like Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd.
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Ogunbowale was dealing with an ankle injury and did not play in either of the Wings' two preseason games, but she practiced with the team on Tuesday and said she expects to play in Dallas' regular-season opener on Saturday, May 9 at the Indiana Fever.
The WNBA's groundbreaking new CBA negotiated in March has led to massive player salary increases across the league. Ogunbowale, Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, Aces forward A'ja Wilson and Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston are among players who signed contracts worth $1 million or more this offseason.
"It's amazing. I know it's deserved and it's just going be great, every year it's just going to keep going up," Ogunbowale said. "My future kids (are) hopefully going to be making like ($20 million) by the time they get to this level. But it's definitely a blessing to be a part of the change and 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 benfits of everybody who paved the way."