Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick for the Dallas Wings, is set to make a groundbreaking $500,000 in her rookie WNBA season. This figure represents a dramatic shift in player compensation within the league, largely due to a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and updated media deals.
A New Era for Rookie Salaries
Fudd's substantial rookie deal highlights a rapidly changing financial landscape in the WNBA. Her earnings far surpass what top picks received just a few seasons ago. For context, the No. 2 and No. 3 selections in Fudd's draft class are projected to earn $466,913 and $436,016 respectively, with even second and third-round picks taking home around $270,000.
“I'm not really sure I have words to describe that feeling, what that meant,” Fudd said about being drafted. “I don't think it's fully sunk in. It's nothing I could have imagined. The feeling of sitting with my family, with Morgan (Valley), hearing your name called, go up there. Such a surreal feeling.”
Fudd expressed excitement about the opportunities ahead, both personally and for her generation of players. “There's endless opportunity in front of me, whatever happens next, wherever I end up. I'm just excited to be in a new city, to learn from the players around me, to get to play with these incredible players, to learn from the coach. I'm excited for everything.”
Paige Bueckers' Rookie Earnings & Future Outlook
The stark contrast in rookie salaries becomes evident when comparing Fudd's deal with that of her girlfriend, Paige Bueckers. As the No. 1 pick in 2025, Bueckers' rookie base salary was $78,831. This significant gap underscores how quickly the WNBA's economics have evolved, with Fudd benefiting directly from the updated CBA and new media agreements that players like Bueckers helped pave the way for.
Despite her lower rookie earnings, Bueckers is now poised for a considerable financial leap. Projections suggest she could earn around $1.2 million starting in the 2026 season, with the potential to reach $1.7 million by 2028 under new contract structures. This reflects the league's increasing investment in its star players earlier and more aggressively.
Fudd's move to Dallas also reunites her on the court with Bueckers. “Paige is an incredible player, everyone knows that,” Fudd commented. “She's someone that makes playing basketball with easy.”