Waivers are never a shock in the WNBA, at least not anymore. As the WNBA’s cap space problems continue to be highlighted, teams are even opting to limit their roster to eleven by sacrificing a spot. So when training camp started last week, players across the league, rookie or not, knew they needed to prove themselves in the next three weeks. However, for rookie Shyanne Sellers, the situation was turned on its head. Sellers was waived by the Valkyries even before their preseason games began, leaving fans around the league shocked.

Although Sellers is close to the termination of her contract, one particular clause of the WNBA might be able to keep her paycheck intact.

What was Shyanne Sellers’ contract with the Golden State Valkyries?

Shyanne had signed a rookie-scale contract with the Golden State Valkyries. The contract was four years long, encompassing three guaranteed seasons and a team option for a fourth. The Rookie scale, decided as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in 2020, states how much rookies get paid in their debut season in the league according to their position in the draft. The 2025 rookie scale, for example, includes a starting salary of $79,000 for picks one to four, $75,643 for picks five through eight, and $72,455 for the rest of the players selected in the first round. The Year 1 base salary for second-round picks is $69,267 and $66,079 for those picked in the third round.

Shyanne Sellers was drafted with the 17th pick in the second round of the draft. She had signed a 3-year, $217,640 contract with the Golden State Valkyries, including an average annual salary of $72,547. Shyanne, like other rookies, was set to receive a two percent increase in base salary between her first and second seasons. Since the first-round and second-round picks receive a 10 percent increase in their third season, Sellers’ salary was set to take a hike and reach $88,317 in the 2028 season.

What was Shyanne Sellers’ salary for the 2025 WNBA season?

In 2025, Sellers was supposed to earn a base salary of $69,267. However, she was waived by the Valkyries. Shyanne had signed an unguaranteed contract with the Valkyries after the draft. This implies that if Sellers isn’t picked up off waivers in the next 48 hours, her contract will be terminated and she will become a free agent. However, in the case a team does claim her, they would be taking her on her current rookie scale contract.

What are Shyanne Sellers’ endorsements as of 2025?

Sellers earned significant accolades during her college career, including being a three-time All-Big Ten First Team selection. Such accomplishments made her a highly sought-after name in the NIL market and garnered multiple deals across her career with the Maryland Terrapins.

Abbott

Shyanne Sellers inked an NIL deal with Abbott on November 20, 2024. Abbott is a company that makes medical devices and offers healthcare solutions for a number of diseases and illnesses. Recently, Shyanne was seen promoting a blood donation drive (We Give Blood Drive) for the brand. 

Third Wing Group

Shyanne Sellers also agreed to a contract with the Third Wing Group on June 14, 2023. It is a talent hunt organization that manages brand partnerships, executes creative strategies, and supports business and brand development for players who are not so privileged.

Campus Mogul

Shyanne Sellers’ endorsement also includes Campus Mogul. It is a brand that designs sports gear and provides athletes with NIL opportunities. Sellers joined the Mogul team on 20th October, 2021, by posting her gear on Instagram.

Honey Stinger

She also did an advertisement for Honey Stinger. Sellers promoted the brand’s snacks on her Instagram. It is a gluten-free waffle for sports athletes that helps them soothe their taste buds without worrying about their workout, diet, or calories. The athlete took to Instagram to share her partnership, “My favorite way to fuel!” wrote the Ohio native.

Under Armour

Under Armour is a sportswear company who have a lot of deals in place for NBA and WNBA players. In celebration of Pride 2024, Under Armour launched a campaign spotlighting three inspiring voices of Division 1 athletes from the LGBTQ+ community. Under Armour collaborated with these three athletes to share their authentic stories throughout the Pride campaign creative. “Representation in collegiate sports means a lot to me. There are different people and you don’t have to be exactly like everyone else,” said Sellers of the campaign.

Why was Shyanne Sellers waived by the Golden State Valkyries?

When they drafted Sellers at 17th, it came as a shock to many that the rookie out of Maryland had fallen so far down the draft. “We were surprised Shyanne was available at 17, Her versatility excites us because it gives us an opportunity to slide her in another position or another.” said GM Ohemaa Nyanin. Earlier projected to go as high as No. 5 in mock drafts, her draft stock took a hit due to concerns about a knee injury she suffered during the college season.

So when the Valkyries waived a player they drafted barely weeks ago, it raised several questions over the condition of Sellers’ knee. Kareem Copeland of the Washington Post would put those rumors to bed as well. “Am told Sellers passed medical exams before leaving Maryland and with the Valkyries. The knee wasn’t an issue/factor in the decision. Was diagnosed with a PCL sprain against Texas in late January. 12 week recovery. Was moving fine in camp.” said Copeland. So, while nothing has been stated explicitly as of now, cramped space on the roster did come up. The Valkyries’ team already has a lot of guards—seven out of the then 18.

Coach Natalie Nakase also clarified that the decision was a tactical one and not a hit on Sellers by any means. “Sellers was a joy,” coach Natalie Nakase told reporters. “I told her thank you for your time. She picked up everything we asked her to. She did everything that we wanted her to. It’s just that I have to choose the best 12 that are going to fit. It doesn’t mean the most talented. It means the best 12. We had a very competitive camp. So I had to make a decision.”

Hopefully, the news will serve well for Shyanne, who is now on waivers for 48 hours and will be looking to get picked up by a squad requiring guard depth. One such squad is the Washington Mystics. However, if she does not get picked during this duration, she will become a free agent.