When you’re Candace Parker, you’re also a WNBA legend, two-time MVP, and a vocal advocate for women’s rights. And with that level of introduction comes a larger-than-life perk. The former basketball forward saw it firsthand during her time in Russia.
During her WNBA off-seasons, Parker suited up for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, a powerhouse in European women’s basketball. It was a far cry from her L.A. Sparks life, not just for the style of play, but the lifestyle too. Despite being one of her major career moves, the outing came with luxurious gifts.
Candace Parker Opens Up About Treatment In Russia
For Parker, despite spending nearly two decades in the WNBA, she didn’t always feel like a “star” in the league. And she had a reasoning for that. According to her, the paycheck never matched her profile. However, life outside the league was a bit happening for the Tennessee alum.
“In Russia, we had chefs. We had amazing apartments. We had drivers. We flew charter. We traveled around Europe as the No.1 team and were compensated as such. My black diamonds are from Russia. They were given to me as a birthday gift. My daughter got black diamonds, I got a Rolex watch,” Candace said on her podcast.
Candace Parker details the luxurious gifts and overall treatment she received while playing overseas in Russia 🥰 pic.twitter.com/FQyIfzgBMS
— Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston (@PostMovesShow) August 13, 2025
Though life came a bit fancier for the former WNBA superstar. Just like many WNBA stars in the early 2000s, Parker spent her offseasons overseas to boost her income. During her time there, from 2010 to 2015, she played for UMMC Ekaterinburg, the Russian Premier League powerhouse. Parker experienced a level of treatment she says she had never seen before.
From her story, it’s clear that the club made sure they valued her both as a player and a person. Additionally, Parker also described how the owners ensured she and her family felt welcome.
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Candace Parker Earned A Fortune Overseas
While the tale from her time in Russia sounds absolutely fascinating, the financial side was equally eye-opening. While Parker never disclosed exact numbers, a 2011 Los Angeles Times report estimated her Russian salary at $1.2 million per season.
Breaking: Candace Parker announced she is retiring from basketball after 16 seasons in the WNBA
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2024
What a career from one of the BEST to ever do it 👏 @HighlightHER pic.twitter.com/ePz0wLCcRu
Interestingly, it was over six times the WNBA’s current maximum of $195,000. For perspective, she earned just over $1 million total in her final eight seasons in the WNBA. In Russia, she could make that in one offseason.
On the court, Parker delivered. And she delivered boldly. The 2008 WNBA first-round pick led UMMC to five straight league titles, four consecutive Russian Cups. She also went on to lead the team to the 2013 EuroLeague championship. However, off the court, she soaked in a lifestyle where charter flights, luxury living, and high-end gifts were the norm, not the exception.