Saturday, October 3, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

An Uncertain Number?

Photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Bueckers won both Player of the Year accolades last season. The Big East named her the 2021-22 Preseason Player of the Year. She’ll eventually be the No. 1 WNBA draft pick.

While the face of women’s college basketball may not be rushing into NIL, she also rightfully ranks near the top of multiple NIL valuation lists. 

Even if the exact value is unclear, she’s going to profit big time. It’s just a question of when.

  • Opendorse predicted Bueckers could be worth close to $400,000, while Student Athlete NIL put that number higher at $700,000, according to The Union Democrat.
  • Another study recently found that she could make up to $1 million a year. 
  • Bueckers isn’t so sure about that last figure, however. “That’s easy for everybody else to say, how I could make this much money,” Bueckers said. “But they’re not the actual people doing it.” 

Though he didn’t give a number, UConn coach Geno Auriemma thinks that Bueckers will cash in. “If Paige plays it right, there will only be two, three, or four [companies]. But they won’t be getting free haircuts. They’ll be really big.”

Either way, Bueckers isn’t concerned. “She doesn’t spend a lot of time worrying about [NIL],” Auriemma said. “She’s not sitting there saying, where’s my next deal coming from, or what do I have to do to attract more potential suitors.”

Here’s what we know: She has another full season where she’ll likely become a more dominant player — and increase her earning potential even more.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks with New York Yankees president Randy Levine as they attend a roundtable event on collegiate sports at the White House in Washington, D.C., March 6, 2026.
Exclusive

SEC and Big Ten Don’t Want to Expand: Randy Levine

Levine argued amending the conference realignment provision would be unnecessary.
Apr 3, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detail view of an NCAA basketball in the hoop during the second half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament between the UConn Huskies and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ohio Court Reverses Grandfathering of Athletes Into NCAA Eligibility

Parallel litigation remains ongoing in several states.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; A detailed view of the College Football Playoff logo on the pylon during the game between the Miami Hurricanes and Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Exclusive Window Closes Next Week As 24-Team CFP Looms

The College Football Playoff has until Dec. 1 to expand for 2027.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Randy Levine on the Yankees’ $2.6B Apollo Deal and the Protect College Sports Act

0:00

Featured Today

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025
September 28, 2026

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Arizona State hockey head coach Greg Powers watches his team as they play UMass-Lowell at Oceanside Ice Arena on Jan. 12, 2018, in Tempe.

ASU Commissions Independent Investigation of Hockey Workout

Coach Greg Powers was placed on leave earlier this week.
Arizona State hockey head coach Greg Powers watches his team before a game against UMass-Lowell at Oceanside Ice Arena on Jan. 12, 2018,
October 1, 2026

ASU Hockey Coach Administrative Leave Isn’t Enough: Attorneys

They also renewed their calls for an independent investigation.
Exclusive
October 1, 2026

Where Does New Big East Commissioner Stand on PE?

Commissioner Tim Brosnan told FOS that PE firms have approached the league.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Sep 26, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) passes the ball during warm ups prior to the game against the Missouri Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 1, 2026

Can Mississippi State Keep Kamario Taylor?

Chiefs star Chris Jones has vowed to try to keep Taylor in Starkville.
October 1, 2026

College Basketball Player in ICE Custody Allowed to Re-Open Case

Kentucky State’s Senegalese center was detained at the airport on Aug. 7.
September 30, 2026

Ted Cruz: Critics of ESPN ‘College GameDay’ Appearance ‘Partisans’

The Texas Republican defended his appearance in an interview with FOS.
Detroit Cass Tech players warm up ahead of a high school football game against rival Detroit King at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. The Detroit skyline is seen in the background.
September 30, 2026

$399 Rivals Evaluations Test What a Recruiting Ranking Is Worth

Coaches are split on whether rankings still matter in recruiting.