Cameron Brink, the second overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, has made headlines not just for her on-court performance but also for her prudent financial management. Unlike many athletes who splurge after their first big paycheck, Brink has saved approximately 90% of her earnings from her rookie season, which totaled $76,535. For the upcoming year, she is set to earn $78,066 with the Los Angeles Sparks.Brink emphasizes that her income from the WNBA is not her primary source of earnings. Instead, she has leveraged her status as a professional athlete to secure lucrative endorsement deals. Her NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) valuation while at Stanford exceeded $200,000, and she has continued to attract sponsorships since entering the league. Recently, she signed a multi-year deal with Urban Decay and announced her feature in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.In a statement to CNBC Make It, Brink expressed her focus on financial stability: “I want to ensure that I’m setting myself up for a comfortable lifestyle down the line because I definitely don’t want to be working forever.” This forward-thinking approach is particularly significant in a league where player salaries remain relatively low; the highest-paid WNBA athletes earn close to $250,000 annually, while endorsement deals can range from $300,000 to $500,000.Despite suffering a torn ACL during her rookie season, Brink remains optimistic about her career and financial future. She is also preparing for personal milestones, including an upcoming wedding to her fiancé Ben Felter. As she navigates recovery and endorsements, Brink is committed to maintaining her financial discipline by saving as much as possible.The disparity in earnings between WNBA players and their NBA counterparts is stark. For context, NBA star Steph Curry earned $51.9 million last year alone from his team and will make $55.7 million this season before considering additional endorsements. In contrast, WNBA players like Angel Reese have openly discussed the challenges of living on their league salaries, which often do not cover basic expenses.Brink’s perspective on her career reflects a deep appreciation for the opportunity to play professionally: “I get to do what I love for a living... It takes an incredible amount of work... but I wouldn’t change it for anything.” Her journey exemplifies how emerging female athletes are navigating both the challenges and opportunities within a growing but still financially constrained league.