WNBA players are officially living large, with an insane average pay increase of 366 percent on their first contracts this season thanks to a brand-new collective bargaining agreement signed in March. ESPN’s Kareem Copeland dropped the bomb Friday on how these superstars are actually spending their massive new money, and let me tell you, some of these purchases are absolutely mind-blowing. We’re talking everything from a colossal seven-foot anime statue to multiple sleek luxury rides. And yeah, our very own Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman is totally in on the action, shelling out some serious coin for a gift that screams “new money, who dis?” for her “StudBudz” partner.
The StudBudz Are Changing the Gift Game Forever
Forget your boring gift cards, because Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman and Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, famously known as “StudBudz,” are setting an entirely new standard for birthday presents. Hiedeman went full throttle for Williams, snagging her a custom-made, absolutely epic seven-foot statue of the anime character Goku. And Hiedeman wasn’t exactly hiding the price tag, admitting, “I ain’t gonna lie, I spent a little bit on that. They had to make it, ship it, do everything.” Apparently, Williams had been dreaming of one for her new crib. But hold up, don’t expect another gift like this anytime soon, because Hiedeman also spilled that they’re “done buying each other expensive gifts now.” As for Williams’ own personal splurge with her fresh contract cash? She hilariously confessed to absolutely blowing “a bag” at a strip club, even vowing that specific spot “will never see me for the rest of my life.” You’ve gotta appreciate that level of transparency and commitment!
From VRBO Empires to Porsche Coupes: Smart Money, Big Spends
Now, it’s definitely not all wild nights and giant anime statues, thank goodness. Many players are making some incredibly savvy moves while still treating themselves to well-deserved luxuries. Take Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, for instance: she’s busy building a legitimate real estate empire, already picking up a VRBO in Arizona and planning to expand her business into Nashville and Florida. Her game plan is clear, to “make a business outside of the court,” which lets her visit these sweet spots without ever having to shell out her own cash. Cunningham perfectly summed it up, saying, “I think it’s a long time coming, but now you have to be smart with that money. You can’t just go out and blow it all or not invest. I think it allows all of us to kind of grow and be businesswomen.” Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen totally echoed that vibe, proudly sharing that she “definitely saved a lot of my money, invested a lot of money” and finally set up her 401[k] this year. And guess what? She still picked up a slick black Porsche Cayenne coupe, because you earned it! Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull opted for a shiny new Tesla, and Atlanta Dream forward Rhyne Howard scored a chic new Louis Vuitton bag. It’s seriously inspiring to see these incredible athletes making smart financial moves for their future while also enjoying the much-deserved rewards of their hard-fought battles, both on and off the court.
What an era to be a WNBA superstar! These players put in the work, they fought for their new CBA, and now they’re showing the entire league exactly what true financial freedom looks like. Whether it’s building a real estate business, investing for retirement, or just splurging on that dream car, it’s crystal clear these women are taking charge of their futures. With this new wave of money flowing into the league, get ready to witness even more incredible impact, both with the ball and with their bank accounts. The future is ridiculously bright for the WNBA, and these players are absolutely ready to dominate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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