No One-And-Done Path in Women’s Basketball as NIL Deals Reshape the Game
The NIL era has dramatically altered women’s college basketball, enabling players like UConn’s Paige Bueckers to earn substantial incomes while remaining in school. With restrictive professional transition rules, many elite players are choosing to extend their college careers for greater financial rewards.
Published on April 3, 2025
Since the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness rights in 2021, women’s college basketball has experienced a transformative shift. Elite players like UConn’s Paige Bueckers have turned the traditional model on its head, harnessing multimillion-dollar endorsements while still in college. Opendorse data even confirms that female athletes enjoy stronger social media engagement than their male counterparts, enhancing their marketability and financial standing.
With the WNBA imposing age or class restrictions and rookie salaries starting around $78,000, many star athletes such as Olivia Miles and JuJu Watkins have chosen to extend their collegiate careers. Reports from April 2025 highlight that dynamic NIL deals, along with evolving recruitment strategies and even discussions on state tax breaks, are making the college path both athletically and financially appealing for women’s basketball players.