Cameron Brink entered the WNBA as one of the biggest college stars, averaging 17.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks on 51.1 percent shooting in her senior year at Stanford, having previously won an NCAA championship.
However, after achieving her childhood dream of being drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the second overall pick in 2024, she was soon hit by the harsh reality of professional women's sports. The conversation around WNBA players not being paid enough is well-known, and Brink experienced it firsthand.
"I had a chef. Do you want to know what she was charging me for one month? Seven grand," Brink said with laughs on her podcast Straight To Cam. "Absurd. For two people, for Benjamin and I. Not even for three meals. I'm like, that's a threat for me, my contract is 70k; we cannot be doing that — that is more than my salary!"
Brink had already been one of the highest-paid college athletes through NIL deals, earning more than $200,000 representing over 20 brands, according to On3. In 2023, she signed an NIL deal with Chegg to support student mental health, inspired by her own struggles with anxiety. Later that year, Brink became the first female basketball player to sign with New Balance and also inked deals with Urban Outfitters and Netflix.
Upon joining the WNBA, she signed a four-year contract worth roughly $340,000, earning just under $160,000 so far in her career. According to Forbes, her net worth is estimated at around $2 million in 2025.
From an outsider's perspective, Brink's stance on cutting her chef might seem selfish. But as a professional athlete, she aims to maximize her talent by investing in her body, whether through personal training or, in this case, nutrition, something that is difficult to sustain at current WNBA salary levels.
Brink highlighted the broader issue of pay disparity in U.S. basketball between men's and women's leagues.
"There's so much, and it's such a layered issue, but I would really just say to the fans and to the people that support us, please continue that support and let us know that we're valid in what we're asking for," she told "ESPN".
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This financial reality even led Brink to join Breeze BC, which competes in a women's three-on-three basketball league, Unrivaled, that reportedly pays its players significantly more than the WNBA. 6'4'' forward reportedly has her salary around six figures, substantially higher than her WNBA pay.
Brink also comes from a well-off family and is closely connected to the Curry family. Despite her wealth, she has chosen to stay grounded, avoiding the expense of a personal chef by subscribing to a meal delivery service.
While WNBA salaries are on the rise with new agreements that will increase both average and top-tier pay, there's still room for improvement before these changes are fully realized.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
