Azzi Fudd's rookie salary will dwarf those of Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark

The newest members of the WNBA not only heard their name called by commissioner Cathy Engelbert at the 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday, April 13, they likely heard dollar signs thanks to a historic collective bargaining agreement.

Azzi Fudd was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings, marking the second consecutive player from UConn to be drafted No. 1 overall by the Wings after Paige Bueckers' selection in 2025. Yet, Fudd will make significantly more than Bueckers on her rookie contract.

The disparity between Fudd and Caitlin Clark's rookie contracts is even greater.

Clark was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft and made $76,535 in her first season in the league. Bueckers made a little more with a $78,831 rookie salary in 2025.

Clark and Bueckers' paydays pale in comparison to what Fudd is set to bring in during her first year in Dallas. Fudd is projected to make $500,000 on her rookie contract in 2026, according to Spotrac. Her salary will grow to $520,000 in 2027, $572,000 in 2028, with a team option of $646,360 available in 2029.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

Azzi Fudd (R) of UConn hugs WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

Azzi Fudd of UConn celebrates after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Olivia Miles who was selected second overall by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

Olivia Miles of TCU celebrates after being selected with the 2nd pick in the first round by the Minnesota Lynx.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Awa Fam Thiam who was selected third overall by the Seattle Storm.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Lauren Betts who was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (right) poses for photos with Gabriela Jaquez who was selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky.

(L-R) Azzi Fudd of UConn and Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

(L-R) Angela Dugalic of UCLA, Kiki Rice of UCLA, Gianna Kneepkens of UCLA, Lauren Betts of UCLA and Gabriela Jaquez of UCLA during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

(L-R) Awa Fam Thiam of Spain and Nell Angloma of France pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Raven Johnson of South Carolina, left, Madina Okot of Kenya, center, and TaÕNiya Latson of South Carolina pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.

2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

1 / 14

Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

Azzi Fudd (R) of UConn hugs WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

Azzi Fudd of UConn celebrates after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Olivia Miles who was selected second overall by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

Olivia Miles of TCU celebrates after being selected with the 2nd pick in the first round by the Minnesota Lynx.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Awa Fam Thiam who was selected third overall by the Seattle Storm.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Lauren Betts who was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (right) poses for photos with Gabriela Jaquez who was selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

(L-R) Azzi Fudd of UConn and Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

(L-R) Angela Dugalic of UCLA, Kiki Rice of UCLA, Gianna Kneepkens of UCLA, Lauren Betts of UCLA and Gabriela Jaquez of UCLA during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

(L-R) Awa Fam Thiam of Spain and Nell Angloma of France pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

Raven Johnson of South Carolina, left, Madina Okot of Kenya, center, and TaÕNiya Latson of South Carolina pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.

Fudd is excited about more than a paycheck.

"I can't wait. Obviously, Paige (Bueckers), Arike (Ogunbowale), getting to watch them and then seeing their new pieces. I'm so excited. I can't wait to get there. I can't wait to learn how to play with them, learn how they play, their style of play and how I can contribute," she said.

Fudd's rookie contract sum is nearly double last season's maximum salary of $249,244.

Fudd isn't the only player who will get a pay raise. The top 15 players selected in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft will make an average of $386,000 in their first year in the league. In comparison, last year's first-round picks made an average of $75,000.

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Azzi Fudd to earn 553% more than Caitlin Clark’s rookie salary