“Everybody saw the ‘World Tour,’ they didn’t see the ‘Work Tour’…which is fine,” Paige Bueckers said before the season began. “They see me like three or four hours a day and think they know my entire 24 hours, which is cool. The work will always show. I’m a believer in that.” And show it did! When it mattered most, Bueckers delivered. In her final ride with UConn, she left everything on the floor. A performance to remember. A true storybook ending to her Huskies’ journey. Now, the world waits. The next chapter in her career is about to begin. Her journey to the WNBA!

It is widely expected that the city of Dallas will be getting their new superstar as they still try to come to terms with the fact that Luka Doncic is no longer a part of their city. The Wings have the first choice in the upcoming draft and are expected to draft the superstar guard.“There’s a big, big moment coming Monday,” said Dallas Wings president and CEO Greg Bibb to The Dallas Morning News. “I do believe we will feel a difference if, in fact, Paige Bueckers is wearing a Dallas Wings jersey.”

Bueckers could be the player to not only shine a spotlight on North Texas, but also lead the Wings to their first WNBA title since moving to Dallas in 2016. However, she won’t be doing it alone. The Wings are making sure the momentum continues. Two seasons after a semifinal appearance, they’ve made a major push in free agency, adding key pieces to an already talented roster, which includes stars like Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington. On top of that, they’ve secured a landmark media rights deal and are moving to downtown Dallas next season.“Typically, when you’re the No. 1 pick, you’re going someplace for a reason. A lot of times, unfortunately for that young player, there’s a weight of a franchise and beyond on their shoulders,” Bibb said. “That’s not the case in Dallas.” The foundation is set.

But as is often the case with the WNBA, how much will she even make in the league? Despite the massive impact players like Caitlin Clark have had on the league, player pay is still a subject of debate. Even stars like Angel Reese have voiced their frustrations about the salaries. Currently, the average salary in the WNBA sits at $102,000 per year, according to a report from Greenlight. The maximum salary a player can earn right now is $249,244. That’s pretty low, especially considering the WNBA has been breaking viewership records since the arrival of the Iowa sensation. So, the big question remains: How much will Paige Bueckers be making when she finally steps into the WNBA?

How much will Paige Bueckers earn in her WNBA rookie contract?

As the number 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Paige Bueckers is set to earn $78,831 in her first year with the Dallas Wings. But that’s just the tip of an iceberg. Her salary will rise each season, thanks to the WNBA rookie scale. By the end of her four-year contract, Bueckers will have earned a total of $348,198 under the current terms.

Spotrac suggests that she will only have a guaranteed contract for the first three years, and the franchise will hold the option for the additional fourth year. Now, when you compare this with the NBA, where a rookie’s minimum salary is nearly a million dollars, the pay gap becomes pretty obvious.

But there’s a silver lining. To ease the financial gap, Bueckers will also play in Unrivaled next season, where her salary will definitely be more lucrative than what she’s earning in the WNBA.

What is Paige Bueckers’ Unrivaled contract worth?

Last year, Bueckers made a big move by signing an NIL deal with Unrivaled, giving her equity in the league. However, she didn’t play in Unrivaled as she was wrapping up her college career with the UConn Huskies. Next season, however, will be a different case. She will be playing and has now secured a contract as well.

Bueckers signed a three-year deal with Unrivaled. While the exact figures remain private, reports suggest her first-year salary exceeds her entire four-year WNBA contract. According to Front Office Sports, she’s set to earn over $350k in her first year, which puts Bueckers among the highest-earning players in Unrivaled. Reports suggest the average salary in the league is around $220,000 per season, plus an equity in the league. A pretty sweet deal!

How much could Paige Bueckers make in total from basketball?

By playing in both the WNBA and Unrivaled, Bueckers could rake in nearly $500,000 a year just from her salaries. Over four years, her total basketball income could easily reach $2 million or even more! Not bad for a young star making her mark in two major leagues, but surely it could be better!

But that’s just her salary. What about her endorsements? NIL has become a game-changer for college athletes, and Paige is no exception! Let’s dive into her endorsement deals and see how she’s capitalizing on her star power!

How much does Paige Bueckers earn from endorsements?

In the era of NIL, having millions of followers on Instagram (2.3 million) and TikTok (3.6 million) automatically makes you a prime marketable athlete. Paige Bueckers is no different. Thanks to her massive fanbase, she’s landed multiple endorsement deals throughout her college career.

Some estimates put Paige Bueckers’ net worth at $1.5 million. Her deals with big-name companies like Nike, Gatorade, Dunkin’, Bose, StockX, and Crocs definitely play a huge role in boosting that number. But some deals go beyond just money. Take her Dunkin’ partnership, for example. Thanks to the deal, Dunkin’ donated $25,000 to UConn’s Husky Harvest food pantries, making a real difference in the fight against food insecurity.

In 2026, the WNBA is set to enter into a $2.2 billion, 11-year television deal, with reports suggesting that salaries could see a dramatic rise. Many thought Bueckers might wait another year, like Olivia Miles, Flau’jae Johnson, and others, to secure higher pay. But Paige isn’t worried. With her massive endorsement empire and the Unrivaled contract, she’s well-equipped to handle the salary gap in the W.