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When we talk about headline grabbers, the name of Mercedes Russell might not be the name that comes to our mind, but her presence on the court has always been felt. Whether it’s grabbing tough rebounds, protecting the rim, or setting rock-solid screens, Russell did everything with ease. She’s the kind of player who thrives doing the dirty work—things that don’t always make the stat sheet but matter just as much.

Ask any Seattle Storm fan, and they’ll tell you just how valuable the former Tennessee star was off the bench during her time with the team. After 7 wonderful seasons with the franchise, Russell decided to sign for the LA Sparks in 2025. But after just playing 20 games in the 2025 W season, Russell got waived by the Sparks, putting an end to their association. With that, let’s dive into Mercedes Russell’s net worth in 2025 and take a closer look at how much the veteran center has earned throughout her career in the WNBA.

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What is Mercedes Russell’s Net Worth?

Unfortunately, no verified source on the internet talks about Mercedes Russell’s net worth in 2025. So, we won’t be able to provide you with the information. However, once more information about this comes to light, we will make sure to update this section!

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Mercedes Russell’s Contract Breakdown

When Russel joined the Sparks, it was no less than an excitement for her. “I am beyond excited to be joining the Sparks family and embracing this next chapter of my life with open arms and excitement,” Russell said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience to an organization with such deep history and great fans. Let’s go Sparks!” But sadly, that chapter closed without much fanfare. But do you know how much she earned from the LA side?

According to Spotrac, Mercedes Russell signed a one-year deal worth $160,000 with the Los Angeles Sparks. For the 2025 season, she’s set to earn a base salary of $66,079, which also matches her cap hit for the year. But now that she has been waived, it’s important to understand what happens next.

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What’s your perspective on:

Did the LA Sparks make a mistake waiving Mercedes Russell, or was it the right call?

Have an interesting take?

For those unfamiliar with how the waiver process works, we have got you covered! When a player is waived, they’re placed on waivers for a 48-hour period. During that time, any team in the league can put in a claim. But it comes with a catch! If a team does claim the player, they’re required to take on the full terms of that existing contract. That’s why it’s not always common to see players picked up right away.

If no team makes a claim within the 48-hour window, the player clears waivers and officially becomes a free agent. It remains to be seen if any team will pick her up, but there is optimism that a player of Russell’s stature, who is currently averaging 1.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 0.3 steals on 8.2 minutes a game, will get a roster spot!

Mercedes Russell’s Career Earnings

After spending nearly 8 years in the WNBA, Mercedes Russell has built up a solid financial resume. Over the years, she’s earned a respectable amount through her contracts. Below is a breakdown of her career earnings from 2019, according to Spotrac.

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YearTeamSalary
2019Seattle Storm$41,965
2020Seattle Storm$57,000
2021Seattle Storm$70,040
2022Seattle Storm$160,000
2023Seattle Storm$160,000
2024Seattle Storm$160,000
2025Los Angeles Sparks$160,000
Total$809,005

Mercedes Russell’s College and Professional Career

Russell spent 6  years with the Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team. Injuries often derailed her progress as a player, but that didn’t stop her from achieving success at college. Despite the setbacks, she carved out an impressive college career, finishing with 1,597 points, 1,085 rebounds, and 195 blocks. Her contributions firmly etched her name into Lady Vols history.

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In 2018, Mercedes Russell was drafted in the second round of the WNBA Draft, with the New York Liberty selecting her 22nd overall. But shortly after, she was waived. This gave the Seattle Storm a chance to get her….and the rest, they say, is history! Russell quickly found her role in Seattle’s rotation and went on to become a valuable contributor on two championship-winning teams.

Throughout her W career, the 6-foot-6 center is averaging 4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game on 52.1% from the field. She has excelled as a role player in the league and would continue to do so if given an opportunity.

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"Did the LA Sparks make a mistake waiving Mercedes Russell, or was it the right call?"

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