Increasingly, the nation's top recruits are also stepping onto campus as some of the highest-paid members of their respective rosters, some with six- and seven-figure financial deals before they've played a single college snap. Whether it's providing instant impact or showing early signals of future promise, the pressure is rising on college football's highest-rated (and best-compensated) freshmen to deliver immediate return on investment.
The top rookie in the 2024 NBA season made around $12.6 million, and the final pick made about $2.5 million, according to Sports Illustrated. But Bueckers, the WNBA's 2025 No. 1 draft pick, will make only $78,831, according to the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Though the women's league is a half century younger than the NBA, its average team valuation of $269 million skyrocketed 180% from last year, according to data from Sportico.
With McKenna setting the bar, and finally showing what junior hockey players are really worth, it isn't crazy to think that some of the CHL's best upcoming talent like the likes of DuPont and Maddox Schultz could make their individual moves to the NCAA, and DuPont looks like the perfect player to add to the ever-growing list of fresh NCAA talent.
"It's always been a dream when I was little - being on the national team," Paletta stated enthusiastically, reflecting on her aspirations before joining the U-17 national team training camp.
"We want to support the athletes and their fundraising efforts, while also empowering them to spread positivity in their community. These NIL partnerships are unique because 100% of the money will go directly to their fundraising efforts." - Crystal Brown, Community Marketing Manager for Aroma Joe's Development of ME/NH
