A towering presence in Chicago’s frontcourt, Kamilla Cardoso steps into her second WNBA season under fresh terms. Her rookie contract and cap impact hint at a calculated investment by the Sky—measured, deliberate and full of potential.
As one of the top selections in the 2024 draft, her deal underlines the expectations placed on her. Her structured 4‑year rookie agreement balances immediate contributions with long‑term promise.
More than a salary, this contract represents a crossroads: Her base earnings and years left define her income and trajectory in a Windy City rebuild. The length, scale and structure all point to a player the franchise intends to build around.
What is Kamilla Cardoso’s salary with the Chicago Sky?
Kamilla Cardoso earns $78,066 for the 2025 WNBA season, consistent with her status as a No. 3 overall pick and her rookie-scale salary slot, as Spotrac reported. This base salary reflects the controlled investment Chicago has made in her talent.
Kamilla Cardoso #10 of the Chicago Sky looks on against the Atlanta Dream during the first half at Wintrust Arena on July 16, 2025. (Source: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Looking ahead, her pay is set to rise to $85,873 in 2026 and steeper yet to $97,582 in 2027, assuming the Sky exercises the fourth-year team option. These predictable increases mirror WNBA-athlete development expectations under the rookie CBA.
Kamilla Cardoso’s contract: How long does the deal last?
Kamilla Cardoso is under a four-year rookie contract with the Chicago Sky (2024–2027), including a team option for 2027 that the franchise may exercise after evaluating her impact in 2026.
If the team exercises that option, her total earnings over four seasons will reach $338,056, with an average salary around $84,514 per year—a structure allowing Chicago to manage salary cap with clarity while benching future flexibility.
This setup places her on a clear developmental path: she will become eligible for restricted free agency after 2027, giving the Sky first matching rights or negotiating leverage based on her progress as a high-upside center.
