$1.4M! That’s the NIL valuation of UConn standout Paige Bueckers. Surely, that makes a compelling case for her to be included in the list of top-earning college athletes. But, what about the competition in her own backyard? Especially, when there is a 38-year veteran Husky head coach Geno Auriemma climbing the ranks to be among the most affluent individuals in the coaching world.

Sparing a thought or two in this regard was the 6-foot-guard in the latest WNBA All-Star bonus episode of “A Touch More” alongside Sue Bird and her partner Megan Rapinoe. The soccer icon, in a lighthearted conversation asked Bueckers whether Auriemma is jealous about the escalating NIL valuation. Beuckers responded saying, “Coach always makes sure to humble me that he’s making more money than I am. Like you’re old man I know you got more money than me”.

Indeed, the 11 NCAA Division I Tournament champion is one of the highest-paid bosses. His recent contract extension till 2028-29 promises him a whopping $18.7 million ($400,000 per year) as base pay. This means that the upcoming season will fetch him a sum of $3.34 million in total and the final year of the contract has $4.14 million waiting for him. Consequently, this places him above the likes of  LSU’s Kim Mulkey ($3.25 million) and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley ($3.2 million).

As for Bueckers, she recently went north of a million courtesy of her links with brands like Gatorade, Crocs, Topps, and Leaf Trading Cards. In addition to this, she is soon to become a signature athlete with Nike. On top of that, Paige Bueckers recently became the first NCAA athlete to pen an NIL deal with the new women’s basketball league Unrivaled for ownership equity. This is along with being a brand ambassador for a beauty brand recently.

Paige Bueckers inks a NIL collaboration with Madison Reed

A few renown Connecticut women’s basketball players like Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Ice Brady, and Morgan Cheli have agreed to associate themselves with their UConn alumna Amy Errett’s company Madison Reed. The agreement coincides with the release of its demi-permanent hair color ColorWonder.

Seemingly, all these athletes will take part in several events planned in Los Angeles before the start of the season. “From the start, it was clear that Madison Reed was a company whose values around team and opportunity aligned with mine,” Bueckers said in an official statement.

Indeed, Paige Bueckers has earned her reputation in the NIL sphere. All because of what she is capable of producing for UConn on the hardwood. As she approaches her final season with the program, what more could come her way?

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show”. Our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.