Paige Bueckers signs lucrative deal with Unrivaled league

On April 14, 2025, Paige Bueckers, the outstanding former UConn Huskies star, signed a significant three-year contract with Unrivaled, a newly established 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. This league, which debuted in January 2025, aims to offer players a viable alternative to the traditional WNBA during offseasons, enhancing earning potential and providing better resources compared to the WNBA. Bueckers is expected to earn more in her first year with Unrivaled than the combined total of her earnings over four years in the WNBA. The Dallas Wings, who hold the number one pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, were initially projected to pay her $78,831 in her rookie year, with total earnings expected to reach $348,198 over four years, including an option base salary for her fourth year in 2028. Unrivaled has garnered significant attention for its commitment to support women's basketball players, offering competitive salaries that surpass those in the WNBA. During Unrivaled's inaugural season, players averaged a salary of $222,222, far exceeding the regular maximum WNBA contract of $214,466 for 2025. Co-founded by prominent WNBA players Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, the league has quickly established itself as a powerhouse appealing to aspiring female athletes. The financial backing for Unrivaled has been impressive, attracting $35 million in investments from high-profile investors such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Phelps. These efforts have paid off, as the league reportedly generated over $27 million in revenue in its inaugural year. This boom is seen as a significant advancement for women’s sports, as many players, including Bueckers, are opting for better-paying contracts in leagues like Unrivaled rather than traditional options. It is becoming increasingly evident that the rise of competing leagues is putting pressure on the WNBA to reevaluate player salaries and working conditions. With the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) set to expire this year, players in the WNBA are advocating for improved pay and working conditions. The success of Unrivaled has raised expectations regarding player compensation, with many looking forward to the new CBA negotiations in 2026. If these demands are not met, it's plausible that a lockout could occur, leading to further enhancements in alternative leagues like Unrivaled, potentially giving these other avenues even more prominence in women's basketball.