The Dallas Wings made former UConn Huskies standout Azzi Fudd the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert introduced Fudd on Monday night at The Shed at Hudson Yards.
Fudd was part of an NCAA championship team under legendary UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, and she reunites with Paige Bueckers in Dallas. What does Fudd’s contract look like as a rookie, and how does it compare to those of Caitlin Clark and Bueckers?
WNBA No. 1 Pick Azzi Fudd Lands Lucrative Contract
In March, a new WNBA collective bargaining agreement was reached. As a result, incoming rookies will make more than last year’s rookies.
For instance, Fudd will get $500,000 for her first WNBA season, more than six times what Bueckers, also a former UConn star, made in her rookie season last year ($78,831). Bueckers also plays for the Wings, so the two UConn players will be teammates once again.
According to Spotrac data on Bueckers’ contract, “Paige Bueckers signed a three-year, $247,688 contract with the Dallas Wings, including an average annual salary of $82,563.”
Regarding Clark, when she was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever back in 2024, she earned $76,535 in her rookie year.
As for further details on Clark’s contract, Spotrac indicated that “Caitlin Clark signed a four-year, $338,056 contract with the Indiana Fever, including an average annual salary of $84,514.”
Fortunately for Bueckers and Clark, there will be an opportunity to earn more now under the new CBA’s EPIC (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) provision.
“I’m not really sure I have words to describe that feeling, what that meant,” Fudd said after she was drafted by the Wings. “I don’t think it’s fully sunk in. It’s nothing I could have imagined. The feeling of sitting with my family, with Morgan (Valley), hearing your name called, go up there. Such a surreal feeling.”
Fudd, Bueckers, and Arike Ogunbowale have a chance to put together some stellar backcourt play for Dallas. Fudd, after dealing with injury issues, was able to stay healthy for her last two collegiate seasons with the Huskies.
What about other top WNBA Draft choices and their contracts? When it comes to the No. 2 and No. 3 overall picks, they’ll get $466,913 and $436,016, respectively. Additionally, second- and third-round picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft are going to have contracts worth $270,000. That’s definitely more than what past picks received under the previous WNBA CBA.
The Minnesota Lynx selected TCU’s Olivia Miles at No. 2, while the Seattle Storm selected Spain center Awa Fam Thiam at No. 3
Flau’jae Johnson was selected at No. 8 by the Golden State Valkyries, but the Storm and Valkyries were involved in a draft night trade that sent Johnson to Seattle. Johnson, who played college ball at LSU, might have a better chance to really stand out for the Storm.
Yet all eyes were on Fudd, and she’ll be benefiting from a very prosperous contract as a rookie.
