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  Debate

Debate

Is Napheesa Collier the most underrated star in the WNBA today, or is she finally getting her due?

Napheesa Collier’s rise in the WNBA is undeniable. Fresh off leading the Lynx to a crucial Game 1 win over the Liberty, the DPOY’s impact has boosted both her team’s title hopes and her endorsement potential. As the Twin City franchise prepares to take down New York right in their home once again in Game 2, let’s take a closer look at Napheesa Collier’s net worth and impressive wealth.

Today, Napheesa Collier’s estimated net worth is $1.5 million, according to Her College Net Worth. By carefully balancing her basketball career with smart financial decisions, Collier has positioned herself as one of the most financially successful athletes in the WNBA today.

Starting her career with an average rookie salary of $55,059, the reigning DPOY’s earnings have skyrocketed to an average of $184,172 within just five years. This upward trajectory is set to continue, with her salary projected to reach $214,284 by the next year. This significant boost came after her rookie contract ended in 2022, at which point she signed a three-year, $552,516 extension with the Lynx.

Her business ventures go beyond just endorsements, as she has also co-founded Unrivaled, a 3×3 women’s basketball league designed to give WNBA players a platform to compete during the offseason. Her partner for the business? Her UConn teammate and 2024 WNBA Finals rival Breanna Stewart.

In a 2023 interview, she stated, “Being part of the WNBPA negotiations taught me so much about the business side of basketball. We’re not just athletes—we’re advocates for the future of the sport,” emphasizing how the experience shaped her as a businesswoman.

In addition to her WNBA earnings, Collier has bolstered her income through lucrative endorsement deals.

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Digging into Napheesa Collier’s contracts

The 2024 Commissioner’s Cup MVP is not just a trailblazer on the floor. But she has been playing a chess game outside the lines as well. For instance, her contract with the sports athleisure giant Nike. Her relationship with Nike began in 2020 when she participated in the Champs Sports Nike Holiday Campaign, and it has only grown stronger since. While the contract details are not publicly available, she made waves in the sneaker community by launching her own player-exclusive Nike KD 15 Napheesa Collier Community shoes.

Alongside her Nike deal, Collier, along with Jess Sims, are ambassadors to conduct outreach and awareness around financial wellness with U.S. Bank since June 2023. She expressed pride in working with the bank, stating, “Their support for the WNBA is not just financial, but truly practical. They really listened to us as players and created tools to help us with some of the unique financial challenges we face as female athletes.

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Jun 25, 2024; Belmont Park, New York, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert gives the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship MVP award to Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

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Is Napheesa Collier the most underrated star in the WNBA today, or is she finally getting her due?

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And that is just the DPOY’s off-court presence. Between the lines, Collier’s standout performances in the 2024 WNBA semifinals have further solidified her value. In the semifinals against the Connecticut Sun, she averaged 22 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2 blocks per game.

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In Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, she again delivered a key performance. In the Lynx’s 95-93 OT win over the New York Liberty, she, scored 21 points and grabbed 8 rebounds with a 62.5% field goal percentage. But what really helped the Lynx win was her defensive presence. She swatted away 6 huge shots from the Liberty stars. These high-pressure contributions justify her spot in Minnesota and financial payouts to increase her appeal to current and potential sponsors.

As the Minnesota Lynx gear up to face the New York Liberty for Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on September 15, 2024, at Barclays Center, all eyes will be on Napheesa Collier as she faces off against fellow Nike-sponsored athlete Sabrina Ionescu and UConn teammate and business partner Breanna Stewart.