A legend gets her deserving share of recognition. Minnesota Lynx extending the ultimate honor to their iconic No.23 Maya Moore Saturday evening at the Target Center by retiring her jersey. For 8 long years, the services of this elite power forward have been instrumental in making the franchise a force to be reckoned with. Consequently, that made Moore reap the benefits not only on the court but beyond that.

During her playing time, Maya Moore was quite a handful for the Lynx, leading her to the many milestones. But, off it as well, she was turning some heads. Seemingly, her ability with the basketball got her a lucrative contract with a franchise that promised her $58,500 per annum.

This was courtesy of a 2-year-agreement which helped her earn a base salary of $117,000 for the 2020–2021 season alone. That played its part in making the  “LeBron James of the WNBA” reach a net worth of  $300,000.

However, that is not all. In 2019, she decided to take some time off the court following her husband’s wrongful conviction in a 1998 burglary and assault case. During such harsh times, the franchise didn’t back down in offering a helping hand to her. Apparently, they provided the 4× WNBA champion a whopping sum of $115,000. That, along with some sponsorship deals with Pepsi Max Zero Calories, United Way and United Airlines, helped her get through such a challenging phase.

Anyhow, it will not be fair if we have a conversation about her net worth and do not bring into the picture one of the defining endorsements of her life.

Maya Moore inking a historic deal

The year was 2011. Seemingly, all eyes were on the talented UConn graduate Maya Moore, who was on the cusp of commencing a professional career with the Minnesota Lynx. Anyhow, that wasn’t the only major development transpiring for her. Nike’s extension Jordan decided to sign her as the first female athlete to endorse the brand in its 31-year history. As it turns out, this monumental deal was worth between US$3 million and US$4 million. This estimate was put forth according to industry experts.

“I am thrilled to welcome Maya Moore into the Jordan Brand,” said Michael Jordan in an official statement. Moreover, Moore was also thrilled to join the likes of Derek Jeter, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Andre Johnson. She went on and expressed, “As a student of the game, it is a dream come true to align myself with a brand that has a rich history in sports. I’m truly motivated to take my career to the next level as a member of Team Jordan.” 

That’s Maya Moore slaying both on and off the court. Such honors are a testament to how immensely skillful she was as a professional ambassador of the sport. Now, as her jersey is getting retired, the legacy that she left on the hardwood may serve a perfect source of inspiration.

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.