The stage was set for the WNBA daft class who showed up in their fashionable self that took everyone’s breath away. As much as the players stared on the basketball court, they were also in focus on the WNBA draft night. While Azzi Fudd was the top pick on the night, there were many stars who also forced reporters and cameras to take note.
As much as they were all fashionable on the night, they received a special message from Hollywood diva, Anne Hathaway, as she addressed the players with a special message via video.
Anne Hathaway’s Special Message For WNBA Draftees
The Academy Award-winning star was promoting her upcoming movie, Devil Wears Prada 2, featuring Meryl Strip and Emily Blunt. Showing support and love for the WNBA’s future stars, the actress recorded a special message for them.
In the video, the actress said, “On behalf of the entire cast of ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2,’ we’d like to say congratulations on all you have accomplished. We will continue to watch you shine from the sidelines as you enter the next phase of your careers.”
Anne Hathaway from The Devil Wears Prada 2 had a message for the 2026 WNBA draftees and complimented their fits 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WeBBfGJOIh
— espnW (@espnW) April 13, 2026
She also complimented the players’ ‘fabulous fashion looks’ and ended with a nod to her character’s famous line, ‘And as Miranda Priestly would say, ‘That’s all.”
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While it might seem like a casual message from the actress, her message was a unique way to connect the WNBA’s rising stars with the highly anticipated sequel to the iconic 2006 fashion film. While there is already a huge buzz about the WNBA draft and the movie, the cross-industry promotion clearly highlights the rise of the league.
There is more exciting news for the draftees as the new CBA will allow them to start earning in six figures.
WNBA Rookies Earning Reach New Highs
Paige Bueckers was first overall pick in the 2025 draft, while her UConn teammate Azzi Fudd became the first overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Although there is just one season difference between the two picks, the first-year earnings of both players are huge.
PB earned $78,000 in her first season, while Fudd would receive $500,000 as the first overall pick. This huge difference is due to the new CBA rules, which gave every salary at least a 4-fold raise, thanks to a Nobel Prize-Winning economist whose strategic negotiation worked well for the WNBPA.
The difference between the last CBA and the new one:
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 14, 2026
The rookie salary for last year’s No. 1 WNBA draft pick, Paige Bueckers, was $78,831.
The rookie salary for this year’s No. 1 pick, Azzi Fudd, is $500,000.
The average first-year salary for first-round picks last year…
The supermax contract also reached $1.4 million value, wherein the Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell became the first player to sign a supermax contract.