• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 3, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

No. 1 Pick Rhyne Howard Poised for Big Endorsements, $227K Deal

  • Howard was a two-time first-team All-American and SEC Player of the Year at Kentucky.
  • She already holds endorsement deals with WingStop, Powerade, Reebok, and Direct Auto Insurance.
Saul Young-News Sentinel

The Atlanta Dream made a splash on April 6, acquiring the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft from the Mystics for the third and 14th picks.

On Monday, the Dream selected Kentucky shooting guard Rhyne Howard — a positive force both on and off the court.

A two-time First-Team All-American and two-time SEC Player of the Year, Howard led the Wildcats in points (20.5), blocks (1.3), steals (2.3) and three-point percentage (38.3%) en route to an SEC Tournament title during her final season in Lexington.

The 21-year-old’s basketball prowess has already sparked financial opportunities.

  • As a top-four pick, Howard is in line for a three-year, $226,668 contract with a $91,981 team option for a fourth year, per the WNBA’s rookie scale.
  • The Tennessee native holds endorsement deals with Wingstop, Powerade, Reebok, and Direct Auto Insurance.
  • She was one of the most prominent NIL advocates in Kentucky, speaking at a ceremony before the state’s Senate Bill 6 was signed into law.

Under first-time head coach Tanisha Wright, Howard will attempt to turn around a franchise that has been mired in mediocrity in recent years — but history suggests a top pick can work wonders for the Dream.

The last time they drafted first overall, they took five-time All-Star Angel McCoughtry in 2009 — and made the WNBA Finals three times between 2010 and 2013.

Unfortunately, the Dream failed to win a single game in any of those Finals — and have only advanced once in a playoff series since.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Caitlin Clark Wins WNBA Rookie of the Year, 1 Vote Shy of Unanimous

Clark’s influence has increased the WNBA’s visibility and viewership.

NBA Renews Push to Dismiss TNT Sports Media-Rights Lawsuit

The NBA cited a 51-year-old case involving the league itself.
Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan Sues NASCAR: ‘Monopolistic Bullies’

“The France family and NASCAR are monopolistic bullies,” the teams say.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Domantas Sabonis on Life Behind Scenes of NBA Stars

0:00

Featured Today

The Cal mascot, Oski

How the Calgorithm Turned College Football Twitter Into Real Life

“College GameDay” makes its first trip to Berkeley on Saturday.
Apr 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The cleats of Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) as he runs the bases against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park.
October 1, 2024

MLB Players Are Clamoring for Swag. Outfitting Them Is Big Business

Sliding mitts, cleats, and belts are fun, flashy, and lucrative.
Sep 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
September 30, 2024

The Padres’ Future Is on the Line This Postseason

The MLB playoffs could determine the team’s path forward.
Aug 3, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Barcelona midfielder Pau Victor (8) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second half of an international friendly against Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium. V
September 29, 2024

FC Barcelona’s Overspending Triggered a Crisis. Has It Tightened Its Belt Enough?

The club is betting on their middle-road strategy to dig out.

Michael Jordan’s $7.7B Fight Against NASCAR

Teams like 23XI Racing want an increased share of TV money.
Pete Rose talks to a reporter
October 1, 2024

Why Pete Rose’s Death Won’t Get Him in the Hall of Fame

Rose is still ineligible for the Hall of Fame despite his death.
October 2, 2024

MLB Goes All In On Ohtani

The league is actively promoting the Dodgers superstar both domestically and in Japan.
Sponsored

Trend Report: Chiefs-Chargers, Tobacco Road Rivalry, Nebraska Sellout Streak

According to data from TickPick, some games this week will prove to be wallet-busters, climbing into the four figures.
Wolves center Karl-Anthony Towns
September 30, 2024

How Karl-Anthony Towns’s Trade to New York Got Delayed in Serbia

The blockbuster trade has yet to be made official.
Sep 25, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots during the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena.
September 27, 2024

Caitlin Clark Sets One Last Viewership Record on Her Way Out

Clark drew 2.5 million viewers to ESPN on a Wednesday night.
Kenyan runner Faith Kipyegon
September 27, 2024

At Athlos, Speed Cost More Than $84,000 per Minute

Speed kills. But it doesn’t come cheap.
Masai Russell
September 26, 2024

Gold Medalist: ‘Sad’ It Took Until Now to Promote Women’s Track

ESPN+, YouTube, DAZN, and Twitter are all showing the event.