The WNBA arrives on the coattails of a thrilling women’s March Madness — but its eligibility rules won’t allow the league to extend the tournament’s most popular narratives.

The Indiana Fever hold the first pick in tonight’s WNBA Draft and are expected to pick South Carolina superstar Aliyah Boston. But in many ways, the draft will be equally notable for the stars who won’t be there: Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese aren’t eligible and will be returning to school.

Unlike the NBA — which allows players who will be at least 19 during the draft’s calendar year to enter — the WNBA requires players to be at least 22 or set to graduate from a four-year institution.

Salaries for rookie players are predetermined by draft position. 

• The top four picks receive $72,141 each in their first years.
• Nos. 5-8 earn $69,224.
• The final four in the 12-pick first round earn $66,306.
• All players selected in the second round earn $63,389.
• Third-round and undrafted players earn $60,471 as rookies.

Asked on the Front Office Sports Today podcast what the biggest steps were to grow the league, New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu insisted on the importance of a smoother pipeline from college to the pros.

“Paying players more, more teams. There are only 12 teams … there needs to be expansion, and the opportunity for more players coming out of college to play at the professional level.”

Germany’s top soccer leagues are slowly but surely recovering from the effects of COVID.

The Deutsche Fußball Liga, the governing body of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, reported revenues of $4.86 billion for the 2021-22 season — a 10.5% increase from the season before.

It’s the first time the DFL has seen a revenue increase since the start of the pandemic, but it’s still lagging behind pre-pandemic numbers — the organization generated $5.21 billion in revenue in the 2018-19 season.

“In the light of these figures, it is possible to talk about a slight economic recovery, but it is not time to give the all-clear just yet, because the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are still a long way off the pre-coronavirus level overall,” DFL executive committee speaker Hans-Joachim Watzke said.

The 18 Bundesliga clubs generated $3.92 billion — a 3.9% increase from the previous season, while Bundesliga 2 notched a league-record $941.6 million for the 2021-22 campaign.

The DFL chalks up many of the weakened figures to lingering effects from the pandemic.

• Due to in-person restrictions, match revenue — namely from ticket sales — reached just $436.1 million in 2021-22, as opposed to $705.1 million in 2018-19.
• The leagues are also dealing with slightly undervalued TV contracts that run through 2024-25 and average $1.19 billion per season, as opposed to $1.26 billion in previous seasons.

The organization also notes that it paid $1.52 billion in taxes for the most recent period.

Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry has further solidified his link with Under Armour.

The two-time MVP received 8.8 million restricted stock units of the company’s common stock on April 3 as part of his extended role as brand ambassador, a package valued at $75 million, as disclosed in a recent SEC filing.

Under Armour’s extended contract has the potential to be a lifetime deal for the NBA star if revenue goals are met.

Curry and Under Armour announced a long-term partnership extension in late March that named him president of the Curry Brand. The 34-year old has released 10 signature shoes with Under Armour since signing with the brand in 2013. 

The $75 million stock compensation will vest in two installments planned for 2029 and 2032. Curry earned $48 million this season as the NBA’s highest-salaried player as part of his Warriors contract that will pay him about $165 million through the 2025-26 season.

“There’s always been a continuation [in mind] with Stephen,” Under Armour founder and executive chairman Kevin Plank told ESPN. “I couldn’t imagine Under Armour without Stephen, or Stephen without Under Armour.”

Octagon negotiated the extended deal with Under Armour on behalf of Curry. 

The new deal is expected to focus on adding athletes as Curry Brand ambassadors. UConn women’s basketball star Azzi Fudd signed an NIL deal in 2021 to become a Curry Brand ambassador.