2025-04-29 / Boardroom

Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is expected to sign a four-year, $62.7 million rookie deal. Meanwhile, Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, just signed a four-year contract worth $348,000. Some quick perspective: — Flagg will earn 177x more than Bueckers over the life of their deals. — He’ll make more in a week than she will in four years. — He’ll earn more per game than she’ll make in her entire rookie season. When it comes to marketability: — Bueckers: 2.4 million Instagram followers, 25+ brand partners, $1.5M NIL value. — Flagg: 1.1 million followers, 5 brand deals, $4.8M NIL value. The business around women’s basketball is growing faster than ever — but the financial gap between the NBA and WNBA is still massive. The good news: — The WNBPA has opted out of its current collective bargaining agreement to push for better pay. — New ventures like the Unrivaled 3x3 league are creating more opportunities for women to own their value. — As fan interest and investment keep rising, so will the stakes — and the payouts.