Azzi Fudd's Wings Rookie Salary Insanely Higher Than Paige Bueckers'

The former UConn teammates both went No. 1 overall to the same WNBA team, but the 2026 rookie salary for Fudd is so much bigger than what Bueckers received.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:33pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a WNBA basketball game or match, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the Dallas Wings' team colors.The new WNBA salary structure has created a stark pay gap between top draft picks, highlighting the league's efforts to better compensate its elite players.Hartford Today

Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers, former UConn teammates, were both selected as the No. 1 overall picks in the WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings. However, Fudd's 2026 rookie salary of $500,000 is significantly higher than the $78,831 that Bueckers received as the top pick in 2025, a difference of over $420,000. The new WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, which features a higher team salary cap and revenue-sharing model, has allowed Fudd to earn a much larger rookie contract compared to Bueckers.

Why it matters

The stark difference in rookie salaries between Fudd and Bueckers, who were both dominant college players and No. 1 overall picks, highlights the impact of the new WNBA CBA on player compensation. The new agreement has significantly increased the earning potential for top draft picks, providing them with more lucrative contracts and a greater share of league revenues.

The details

Fudd, 23, and Bueckers, 24, formed a dynamic duo during their time at the University of Connecticut, leading the Huskies to the 2025 national championship. After being selected first overall by the Dallas Wings in consecutive drafts, their rookie salaries have been vastly different. Fudd's 2026 salary of $500,000 is $421,169 more than the $78,831 that Bueckers received as the top pick in 2025. The new WNBA CBA, which was reached in March 2026, features a $7 million team salary cap, top salaries of over $1.4 million, and a 20% revenue-sharing model, allowing Fudd to earn a significantly higher rookie contract.

  • Bueckers was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
  • Fudd was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
  • The new WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement was reached in March 2026.

The players

Azzi Fudd

A 23-year-old basketball player who was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft, earning a rookie salary of $500,000.

Paige Bueckers

A 24-year-old basketball player who was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft, earning a rookie salary of $78,831.

Dallas Wings

The WNBA team that selected both Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers as the No. 1 overall picks in consecutive drafts.

WNBA

The professional women's basketball league in the United States.

University of Connecticut

The college where Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers played together and won the 2025 national championship.

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What’s next

The new WNBA CBA is expected to continue to have a significant impact on player salaries and the overall financial landscape of the league in the coming years.

The takeaway

The stark contrast in rookie salaries between Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers, despite both being No. 1 overall picks, highlights the transformative impact of the new WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement. The increased team salary cap, top player salaries, and revenue-sharing model have allowed the league to provide significantly higher compensation to its top draft selections, creating more equitable earning potential for the sport's rising stars.