Paige Bueckers, a standout player for the Dallas Wings, has made history off the court with the sale of her debut jersey for an impressive $64,720. This sale, reported by MeiGray, an authentication and photo-matching company, sets a new record for a game-worn WNBA jersey. The previous record was held by A’ja Wilson, whose jersey from the WNBA Finals sold for $32,150.
Rising Popularity of Women’s Sports
Bueckers expressed her gratitude and surprise at the high value of her jersey, stating, “That’s insane to me just thinking about it. I’m feeling very blessed that people are investing in women’s sports.” She also humorously added that she “wouldn’t pay $10 for my own jersey,” highlighting her humility despite her growing fame.
MeiGray’s partnerships with teams like the Dallas Wings, Golden State Valkyries, and Las Vegas Aces enable them to authenticate and auction memorabilia, contributing to the increasing visibility and value of women’s sports.
Impact on the WNBA
Bueckers, who was named WNBA Rookie of the Year last season, scored 10 points in her debut game against Minnesota. Her No. 5 jersey was the second-best-selling jersey in the WNBA last season, only behind Caitlin Clark. The Dallas Wings, currently holding the fourth-best record in the league, are led by Bueckers, who averages 19.4 points and 5.1 assists per game.
While none of the Indiana Fever stars’ game-worn jerseys have been put up for sale, the success of Bueckers’ jersey auction underscores the growing interest and investment in women’s basketball and its athletes.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
