In March of this year, the WNBA and players reached a new collective bargaining agreement that now sees players compensated at an average increase of 366% over their old paychecks. Here’s what some of the players are doing with their new wages:
Experiences
Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx) – “I went to the strip club and blew a bag. No, I’m being dead serious. Like, that particular strip club will never see me for the rest of my life. Like, I did too much in there.”
Shakira Austin (Washington Mystics) – considering a personal chef
Allisa Gray (Atlanta Dream) – golfing at nicer courses: “I’m cheap”
Luxury goods
Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream) – a Louis Vuitton bag and perfume to match
Cars
Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics) – a black Porsche Cayenne coupe with a peanut butter-colored interior and a cheetah-print steering wheel
Lexie Hull (Indiana Fever) – a Tesla, in 2026
Kierstan Bell (Las Vegas Aces) – considering either a Genesis car or an oversized truck
Future Landlords
Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo) – considering investment properties in “areas that will develop”
Sophie Cunningham (Indiana Fever) – purchased a VRBO vacation rental property in Arizona in addition to hiring a company to manage it: “I’m about to probably buy one in Nashville and Florida, and so I’m just starting to make a business outside of the court … I’m trying to buy places that I want to go visit, so when I’m there, I don’t have to pay for it.”
Grab Bag
Natiesha Hideman (Seattle Storm) – bought a custom 7-foot tall Goku statue for Courtney Williams, her close friend and other half of the “StudBudz” duo who are regular features on social media and streaming. The two turned their viral All-Star weekend stream into a “seven-figure brand business.” Hideman also created a “jewel-laden medallion of her “NH” logo and a chain to go with it. The gleaming piece in the middle of her chest is nearly the size of a fist.”
Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm) – a hyperbaric chamber, which allows for the inhalation of higher concentrations of oxygen in a pressurized environment that can help with recovery and performance
Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart (both New York Liberty) – unspecified new watches
Boring responsible stuff
Iriafen opened a 401(k) in addition to buying her Porsche
Brittany Sykes (Toronto Tempo) – unspecified “items to help with career longevity”
Stefanie Dolson (Seattle Storm) – saving for a wedding
Rebecca Allen (New York Liberty) – renovating a bathroom
Additionally, in mid-April the union agreed to a multiyear partnership with JP Morgan Chase Bank that includes year-round financial education and access to consultants to assist with financial planning. Many players already had their own financial planning resources, but this program comes through an association with the union. Most players said that saving and investing are priorities for them.
ONTD, what would you buy if your salary went up by 366% thanks to collective bargaining?
Also this is a WNBA party post!
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