Just days before the 2025 WNBA Draft, Paige Bueckers, projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, made waves not for a basketball performance but for an impressive move off the court.
According to ESPNW’s Kendra Andrews, Bueckers has signed a three-year professional deal with the women’s 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, indicating a significant change in how rookies approach their professional careers.
Paige Bueckers’ Unrivaled Deal: A Game-Changer for WNBA Rookies
This deal not only eclipses the overall earnings of a traditional four-year WNBA rookie contract, but it additionally comprises league equity, establishing Bueckers as a pathfinder in transforming career pathways for women’s basketball players.
Bueckers’ contract with Unrivaled pays her more than $330,000 for a 10-week season, which exceeds the $348,198 she would make over four years under a conventional WNBA rookie agreement.
Projected No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick Paige Bueckers is signing a three-year deal with the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, sources told @kendra__andrews.
Last year, Bueckers signed an NIL deal with Unrivaled, which gave her equity in the league. https://t.co/TTDK9vs4wk
— espnW (@espnW) April 14, 2025
This compelling difference exposes the financial differences in women’s professional basketball while also emphasizing the unique alternatives developing outside of traditional league systems.
Unrivaled, co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, intends to offer players a home alternative during the WNBA summer. With no pay cap and a focus on player equity, the league’s initial season generated over $27 million in revenue, more than double investor estimates.
In addition to her earnings, Bueckers’ contract includes an ownership position in Unrivaled, making her the first NCAA athlete to have equity in a professional sports league. This decision not only improves her financial situation but also offers her a voice in the league’s direction and growth.
Unrivaled’s strategy of providing equity to players represents a wider trend toward athlete empowerment and has the potential to establish a precedent for future professional sports contract negotiations.
This scenario could prompt the WNBA to reconsider its compensation structures and explore more flexible, player-centric strategies for retaining elite players.
As Bueckers prepares to join the WNBA, her connection with Unrivaled puts her at the forefront of a turning point in women’s basketball.
Also Read: Paige Bueckers Earns NCAA World’s Praise After Alleged Kindness Towards UConn Professor Emerges
Her groundbreaking deal epitomizes the evolving context of professional sports, in which athletes desire not only fair pay but also a stake in the institutions they help construct.
This shift toward player empowerment and equity ownership has the potential to change career paths for future WNBA rookies and establish new benchmarks across professional sports leagues.
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