Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick by the Dallas Wings in the WNBA draft, is set to earn a rookie salary of $247,688 over three years, with a fourth-year team option of $100,510. She is expected to be one of the highest-paid rookies in this year's draft class. However, her earnings in the WNBA will be overshadowed by her anticipated income from playing in the Unrivaled league, a startup league she recently signed with.
Bueckers, known for her stellar career at UConn, overcame significant injuries to become a standout player in college basketball. Despite her potential to become a major star in the WNBA, the league's financial limitations have led many players to seek more lucrative opportunities overseas. Unrivaled, a new three-on-three league, offers players like Bueckers a higher earning potential compared to the WNBA, with the average salary in its inaugural season exceeding $220,000. Bueckers' decision to join Unrivaled reflects the ongoing challenge the WNBA faces in providing competitive salaries that match the value players bring to the sport.