Imagine making it to the pros… and still not being able to afford a place to live.
That’s the reality for many WNBA players, including Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers. In a recent interview, she made it clear that housing is her top sponsorship priority.
In a recent interview with LandonBuford.com, the 23-year-old WNBA rookie said she’s not just hoping for sneaker sponsorships or brand deals. She wants real estate. And not just as an investment. She wants a partnership that helps her avoid one of the biggest expenses in her life: housing.
As reported by Realtor.com, Bueckers said the quiet part out loud.
“I’d also love to have a real estate partnership so I wouldn’t have to pay for a house.”
Most athletes and influencers wouldn’t admit what she did, at least on record. But her honesty may be a signal of what’s coming next, especially in cities where professional salaries don’t go as far as you’d think.
She wasn’t done there. She also floated the idea of a car dealership sponsorship for the same reason.
“I’d like to have a car dealership partnership, so I don’t have to pay for a car.”
These comments may have sparked headlines, but the logic is serious. When you run the numbers, it’s clear that even elite athletes like Bueckers are under pressure to monetize creatively. Real estate may be the next frontier.
When the Numbers Don’t Add Up
Bueckers was drafted No. 1 by the Dallas Wings in 2025 and will earn a rookie salary of about $78,831, according to ESPN. That figure is set by the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement. Of course, this doesn’t include any brand deals she has, but let’s stick with the base salary for a minute.
Now consider her housing options:
- Median rent for a one-bedroom in Dallas (Feb 2025): $1,312/month
- Median rent for a two-bedroom: $1,705/month
- Luxury apartments with amenities: $4,000+/month
- High-rise near Arlington (closer to team’s home base): $2,400+/month
Even if she were to buy instead of rent, she’d still be handing over nearly half her salary each month.
- Median list price for a Dallas home (March 2025): $423,500
- With 20% down and a 6.62% mortgage rate, monthly payments would total $2,168
This is all before taxes, insurance, and the cost of living. And that’s assuming she’s willing to live like the average Dallas resident, not a professional athlete.
Why Bueckers Can Afford to Be Honest
Unlike most rookies, Bueckers has options. She’s already a household name, with millions of social media followers and a $1.4 million NIL valuation for the 2024–25 season, according to On3. That’s nearly 18 times her WNBA salary.
She also recently signed a three-year deal with the three-on-three league Unrivaled, founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. While the league’s exact compensation hasn’t been disclosed, ESPN reports her 10-week season earnings will exceed what she’d make in four full years on her WNBA rookie contract.
Translation: She can afford to turn down traditional deals and push for partnerships that make her life easier, like housing. As she advised her audience in the interview:
“Get the most out of every deal you land.”
