Dallas Wings veteran Arike Ogunbowale has a good understanding of WNBA earnings, as she talked about the time when her rookie year salary was even lower than Paige Bueckers' record-breaking jersey auction.

Bueckers' game-worn jersey from her debut on May 16, 2025, sold for a whopping $64,720 through MeiGray, setting a new record for the highest price paid for a WNBA jersey and the most expensive publicly sold, photo-matched item in women's sports memorabilia.

Speaking to The IX Sports' Melissa Triebwasser, Ogunbowale revealed how player contracts have changed for the better, as the record sale amount is even higher than what her rookie salary used to be in 2019.

“Rookie contracts were really, really small. If you didn't have another job, you had to get one, or you wouldn't be able to survive. Now, obviously, this can be your major source of income. Even without endorsements, you'll be okay with just your W contract,” noted Ogunbowale.

And the veteran guard would be correct with her statement, as after a 17-month-long negotiation between the league and the players' union, a new CBA was formed in March with a variety of adjustments beneficial to the players.

But the highlight always comes down to the salary, as the WNBA salary increased from less than $70,000 to $270,000, while max contracts for star players reached a staggering $1.4 million.

The four-time All-Star's resume speaks for itself, yet she refused to take the max contract and settled for $1.2 million.

The veteran's selflessness created additional space in the salary cap, and the Wings capitalized on it to the fullest with the signings of Jessica Shepard and last year's co-DPOY Alanna Smith.

With such reinforcements, the Wings are in pole position to claim the prize money of the upcoming NBA Commissioner's Cup.

Arike Ogunbowale Keeps It Real On Commissioner's Cup Prize Money

The Wings are sitting pretty on a 5-3 record under new head coach Jose Fernandez, who has completely revolutionized a team that was at the absolute bottom of the standings last year.

The Wings did not have success in last year's edition of the in-season tournament. The Indiana Fever won the title, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in the knockout finals.

This year's prize money for the winner is $500,000, and Ogunbowale had her priorities clear when asked about the possibility of winning this year's cup.

“No matter how much money you get, it’s always good to make more money. So definitely, that's a motivation,” Ogunbowale said.

The Wings will open the tournament against the Seattle Storm on Monday at College Park Center, looking for their third straight win. The championship game will be on June 30.

So, do you think Arike Ogunbowale and the Dallas Wings could fill some prize money into their pockets after a good start to the new season? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Her Sports Nation!

Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy