“I’ve been waiting for her to catch up to me, and now she’s finally here.” Those were the heartfelt words of Kathryn Westbeld as her younger sister, Maddy Westbeld, officially joined the WNBA. Coming from a family rooted in sports, with their father and older brother also being athletes, it’s no surprise that the Westbeld sisters now share the professional stage. This season, Kathryn represents the Phoenix Mercury, while Maddy begins her WNBA journey with the Chicago Sky.

For Maddy, the 2025 season holds special significance, as it marks her debut in the league. Although her start has been rocky, she has shown flashes of promise. In her first 16 games with the Sky, she has averaged 2.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 0.4 steals per game. While these numbers reflect a learning curve, her stellar collegiate career speaks to her potential at the pro level. Given her strong background, what kind of rookie contract did the Chicago Sky offer her? Let’s take a closer look at the details of Maddy Westbeld’s first WNBA deal.

What are the terms of Westbeld’s rookie contract with the Chicago Sky?

Westbeld was the sixteenth overall pick by the Chicago Sky in the 2025 WNBA draft. With this pick, she joined the likes of Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith on the roster. She signed a 3-year rookie contract. The deal runs from 2025 through 2027, with a club option for 2028. She will become a restricted free agent (RFA) in 2029. The total value of the contract is $217,640, with an average annual salary of $72,547. For the year 2025, her base salary will be $69,267. However, there is no signing bonus in this contract.

Maddy Westbeld’s rookie contract reflects the promise she showed throughout her standout collegiate career at Notre Dame. Her substantial paycheck is well-deserved, thanks to her consistent impact and growth over four seasons with the Fighting Irish. As a freshman, she averaged 15.2 points per game and shot 38.8% from three-point range and 78.6% from the line.
This standout debut earned her the ACC Rookie of the Year award in 2021.

Her numbers continued to improve, and by her senior year, she started all 34 games, averaging 14.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Those performances helped her secure a spot with the Chicago Sky in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Her rookie contract includes a solid base salary and performance-based incentives for growth and consistency. But there is a catch.

How much will Maddy Westbeld earn annually under her current deal?

Maddy Westbeld’s rookie contract with the Chicago Sky follows an incentive-based structure, with her salary increasing each year. In 2025, she will earn a base salary of $69,267, which also serves as her cap hit for the season. Her salary rises slightly to $70,653 in 2026, and then jumps to $77,720 in 2027, the final guaranteed year.

However, the deal is unprotected, meaning the team can waive her at any point without financial penalty from 2025 to 2027. That adds a layer of uncertainty, common in second-round rookie contracts. Still, the deal includes a key feature: a club option for the 2028 season. If exercised by the Sky, Westbeld would remain on the roster and earn $88,317 that year.
This option does not require her approval and gives the team complete control over her fourth year.

If she stays through 2028, her total earnings under this contract would reach $305,957! For Westbeld, the structure offers both opportunity and pressure to prove herself in the early years. So far, she’s rising to the challenge. She had a standout 9-point performance in just 12 minutes against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx and a 7-rebound game along with 2 blocks versus Atlanta. With strong performance and growth, she can secure her spot as a starter and cash in on the full value of the deal.