The Stark Divide: Flagg’s NBA Rookie Deal Dwarfs Bueckers’ WNBA Contract 177-Fold
The impending professional careers of basketball sensations Cooper Flagg and Paige Bueckers are poised to highlight a stark financial reality in the world of professional sports, particularly concerning gender disparities in earning potential. With Flagg projected as a top-tier pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and Bueckers as a likely early selection in a future WNBA Draft, the disparity in their expected rookie contracts is staggering, reportedly reaching a factor of 177.
Cooper Flagg, the consensus top prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft class, is anticipated to command a rookie contract befitting a potential franchise cornerstone. Should he be selected as the No. 1 overall pick, his four-year rookie deal, dictated by the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, is projected to be worth well over $50 million, with the first year alone approaching $12 million. These figures reflect the immense revenue generated by the NBA, driven by massive television deals, global reach, and a long-established financial model.
In contrast, Paige Bueckers, a generational talent in women’s basketball, faces a significantly different financial landscape upon entering the WNBA. As a projected top-5 pick, possibly even No. 1 overall in her draft year (e.g., 2025 if she declared, or later), her base salary for her rookie season would fall around $78,000 to $80,000, with a four-year contract totaling approximately $350,000.
The calculation reveals the jaw-dropping difference: a top NBA rookie’s first-year salary is roughly 150-170 times larger than a top WNBA rookie’s first-year salary, making the reported “177x larger” claim for the total value of their four-year contracts plausible given how those scales increase.
This profound disparity isn’t a reflection of the players’ talent, dedication, or impact on their respective sports. Both Flagg and Bueckers are celebrated athletes who have captivated audiences and elevated their games to elite levels. Instead, it underscores the systemic differences in league revenues, broadcast rights, and salary cap structures between the NBA and WNBA. While the WNBA has seen significant growth in viewership and popularity, especially with recent star power, its financial ecosystem remains considerably smaller than its male counterpart.
The comparison serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing conversation around pay equity in professional sports. While WNBA players often supplement their income with lucrative endorsement deals (as Bueckers has already done with NIL in college) and opportunities in overseas leagues, the initial on-court contract figures for even the most elite female athletes remain a fraction of what male players command, highlighting the persistent challenges in achieving true financial parity.
