“[Janelle] is versatile, Just having that versatility to go against any type of defender. I think that’s key,” said Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase about Janelle Salaun back in August. Despite possessing 6 years of experience as a professional basketball player, the 2025 WNBA season was Salaun’s rookie year. The experience she brought with her paid off, as the French player participated in 36 games, started in 33, and averaged 11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. She left a mark with her 36.6% 3-point shooting, which ranked 7th amongst rookies who played at least 14 games. Her contribution to the Valkyries and her prowess eventually allowed her to be named to the WNBA’s All-Rookie Team.
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Since Salaun did so much for the Valkyries, the expectation should be that she is being compensated accordingly. In light of this, let us take a look at the small forward/power forward’s pay structure.
Janelle Salaun’s Contract Breakdown
According to Spotrac, Janelle Salaun is currently playing under a 1-year, $66,079 rookie contract. The same is set to run only for the entirety of the 2025 WNBA season. After that, Salaun will become a Restricted Free Agent. The contract also carries a cap hit of $66,079.
What is Janelle Salaun’s salary?
According to the terms of the contract, Janelle Salaun earned a base salary of $66,079 during the 2025 WNBA season.
| Year | Annual Salary |
| 2025 | $66,079 |
| 2026 | ERFA |
What is Janelle Salaun’s Net Worth?
There is no official information given out on Janelle Salaun’s net worth in the public domain.
Janelle Salaun’s Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Salary |
| 2025 | Golden State Valkyries | $66,079 |
| 2026 | Golden State Valkyries | ERFA |
| Total | $66,079 |
Janelle Salaun’s College and Professional Career
Janelle Salaun reportedly started playing basketball at the age of 12. She recalled getting an appreciation for the sport during an interview, revealing that “I remember I was actually watching the Olympics in London in 2012 with my grandma, and I just decided I wanted to do this sport, which is funny, because my parents never forced me. They actually played basketball, but they never forced us, me and my brother, to play.”
After getting a grasp on the sport, Salaün went to INSEP, France’s National Institute of Sport Expertise and Performance, at the age of 14. In 2019, she signed her first-ever professional contract to play for Flammes Carolo before moving to Villeneuve-d’Ascq. She spent 4 years at that LFB club, and reached her high point during the 2023-24 season when she averaged 10.6 points, along with 5.5 rebounds, and 2 assists, by shooting 49.8% field goals, and 44.2% 3-pointers. Salaun even helped lead the club to a league title and a EuroLeague finals appearance.
Before the 2024-25 EuroLeague season, Salaün shifted to Famila Schio, a club based in Italy that competes in Serie A. When she was 23 years old, she helped lead the team to a 19-1 record in league play and a No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Schio made the Italian league finals, secured the championship title in 5 games, and Salaün was named the finals MVP.
The Golden State Valkyries awaited Salaun after Schio, and she continues making a mark for herself, through that team, in the WNBA. Janelle Salaun’s journey has just begun, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for her vis-à-vis success in the league.
