What is a development contract in the WNBA? Kate Martin signs with L.A. Sparks

The Los Angeles Sparks signed former Iowa women's basketball star Kate Martin to a player development contract on Sunday, May 10.

But what is the WNBA's player development contract? Here's what to know about this new roster option.

How do WNBA development contracts work?

Starting in 2026, all 15 WNBA teams can sign two players to development contracts. The expanded roster spots are a result of the historic new collective bargaining agreement the league and its players struck in March.

Players signed to development contracts may participate in all team practices and activities, including travel, and can be activated for up to 12 games per season or converted to a standard roster contract at any time. Each team has a combined total of 24 active games to distribute between their two development players, which cannot be reset by releasing and re-signing players, according to SB Nation.

Any player signed to a developmental contract must have three or fewer years of service. They can reportedly also have four to five years of service, but must be within a minutes limit to be eligible.

Players in the development pool will receive a $750 weekly stipend, according to Richard Cohen of Her Hoop Stats, and will earn a prorated minimum salary of around $6,000 per game upon activation. Teams can sign players from other teams' developmental squads to standard contracts; however, the original team has the right to match the offer.