The world of women's professional basketball is not just about on-court prowess; it's increasingly about building a powerful brand and financial portfolio. Two prominent names, Sabrina Ionescu and Sophie Cunningham, exemplify this trend, though their financial journeys paint contrasting pictures. Despite being drafted a year apart, their career arcs, earnings, and marketability offer a fascinating study in the economics of the WNBA.
Sabrina Ionescu: A Financial Powerhouse On and Off the Court
Sabrina Ionescu, the first overall pick by the New York Liberty in the 2020 WNBA Draft, has built an impressive financial empire. According to Forbes, her current net worth stands at a staggering $6.3 million. This achievement earned her a spot on Forbes' list of Highest Paid Female Athletes for 2025. Remarkably, the bulk of her wealth stems from lucrative off-court ventures and endorsements.
Her on-court earnings, while significant, form a smaller portion. In 2023, she signed a two-year contract with the Liberty worth $410,060. For the 2025 season, her salary was $208,060, bringing her total career earnings from the league to approximately $724,418. However, her off-court income tells a different story, with $10 million earned in 2025 alone.
Ionescu's brand portfolio is diverse and groundbreaking. She made history as the first female athlete to launch a unisex signature shoe with Nike, a product widely adopted within the league. Her endorsement roster is elite, featuring partnerships with Away, Fanatics, and beverage giant Anheuser-Busch InBev. She also serves as the brand ambassador for Ant International and as the International Ambassador for luxury watchmaker Tissot. Further solidifying her business acumen, Ionescu holds an ownership stake in the National Women's Soccer League franchise, Bay FC.
Sophie Cunningham: Rising Popularity and Steady Growth
On the other side of this financial comparison is Sophie Cunningham, who entered the league a year earlier. She was selected as the 13th overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2019 draft and now plays for the Indiana Fever. Per Celebrity Net Worth, her current net worth is estimated at $2 million.
Her WNBA career earnings reflect a steady climb. Cunningham signed a two-year contract worth $304,500 for the 2023-2024 seasons. After moving to the Indiana Fever, she inked a one-year deal valued at $100,000. By the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, her total league earnings amounted to $637,780. She also gained international experience, playing for the Melbourne Boomers in Australia's Women's National Basketball League from 2019 to 2020.
While her endorsement portfolio is currently smaller in scale compared to Ionescu's, it is robust. Cunningham has collaborated with brands like Adidas, Arby's, Ring Home Security, and Sun-Cruiser. Her marketability is significantly boosted by her vocal personality and reputation for fiercely standing up for her teammates, which has made her a fan favourite. This charisma even propelled her to become the most Googled WNBA star recently, surpassing even the buzz around Caitlin Clark.
The Bottom Line: Who Stands Out?
Based purely on the numbers, Sabrina Ionescu's net worth of $6.3 million dwarfs Sophie Cunningham's $2 million, giving Ionescu a clear and substantial lead in this financial face-off. Her status as a #1 draft pick, historic brand deals, and savvy business investments have created a formidable financial foundation.
However, the narrative is not static. Sophie Cunningham's surging popularity and relatable, outspoken persona have made her a powerful brand in her own right. This growing fanbase and media presence position her perfectly to attract more lucrative endorsement deals in the future, potentially narrowing the financial gap. The battle of net worths is a snapshot in time, and in the dynamic world of sports branding, today's underdog could be tomorrow's commercial titan.
