The truth about the WNBA’s Rookie contracts: Just how much are they earning?
Draft day in the WNBAis full of emotion-smiles, tears, hugs, and a whole lot of hope. This year's class brought star power in spades: Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and more graced the orange carpet, soaking in their moment. But after the cameras cut and the suits go back on the hanger, a much tougher reality kicks in for many rookies.The big question is this: what do WNBA rookies actually earn? And why is it so much less than what we see on the men's side?Caitlin Clark throws playful jab at fan with a gesture that at first looked offensiveThe answer lies in the rookie scale-a structure laid out in the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the players' union. For 2025, top-four picks will earn $79,000. Those picked later in the first round drop to $72,455, […]
