Rookie Pay Gap Widens Between Top WNBA Draft Picks

Dallas Wings' No. 1 selections Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd see vastly different contract values under new CBA

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:00am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a WNBA basketball game or draft event, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in navy, red, and yellow, conceptually representing the pay gap between top draft picks.The WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement has led to a dramatic increase in rookie contract values, creating a stark pay disparity between recent No. 1 draft picks.Dallas Today

The Dallas Wings have had the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft in back-to-back years, selecting UConn stars Paige Bueckers in 2025 and Azzi Fudd in 2026. However, Bueckers signed her rookie contract last year at a significantly lower value compared to the record-breaking deal Fudd received this year, thanks to the league's new collective bargaining agreement that dramatically increased rookie salaries.

Why it matters

The stark pay disparity between the two top draft picks highlights the impact of the WNBA's recent CBA negotiations, which aimed to improve compensation and working conditions for players. The new deal has led to a surge in rookie contract values, but also raises questions about pay equity and the league's ability to retain top talent long-term.

The details

Under the WNBA's previous CBA, Paige Bueckers signed a rookie contract worth $72,141 as the No. 1 overall pick in 2025. In contrast, Azzi Fudd's rookie deal with the Wings this year is worth a record-breaking $493,310 - a $421,169 increase from Bueckers' contract just one year prior.

  • Paige Bueckers was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
  • Azzi Fudd was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

The players

Paige Bueckers

A standout guard from the University of Connecticut who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, selected by the Dallas Wings.

Azzi Fudd

A highly touted guard from the University of Connecticut who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, selected by the Dallas Wings.

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The takeaway

The significant pay gap between the last two No. 1 overall WNBA draft picks highlights the league's efforts to improve player compensation, but also raises concerns about pay equity and the ability to retain top talent long-term as rookie salaries surge.