Before the Final Four, the former Lyon player expressed to La Dernière Heure that it might be her last opportunity to win the European trophy. She anticipated significant changes in European competitions starting next season due to WNBA reforms, making it challenging to play both seasons consecutively. Allemand plans to take a break after her WNBA season and, if she returns to Europe, it won’t be for a full season. She believes many players will adopt a similar approach.
After playing for the Fever, Sky, and Sparks, Julie Allemand is set to join a new WNBA franchise, the Toronto Tempo. Her feelings about this move are very positive. She admits she hoped to be unprotected by Los Angeles and selected by one of the two new expansion teams. Allemand found the overly Americanized mentality, particularly in a city like Los Angeles with its “bling-bling” culture, not to her taste. Toronto, however, is a perfect fit. Canada is new to her, and the team has several European players. The project is ambitious, and she has already established a good rapport with the coach through their discussions, expecting to play a significant role.
Julie Allemand has signed a two-year contract worth $850,000, a substantial increase from the $85,000 she earned last season. However, surprisingly, she was earning even more in Turkey. This is because her WNBA contract is still considered a rookie contract. While she was initially offered the minimum, they managed to negotiate a slightly higher figure. Nevertheless, the $425,000 per season is a gross amount, subject to taxes. For comparison, Allemand states she takes home more money from Fenerbahçe, where her earnings are calculated net. In two years, she will be a free agent in the WNBA, able to negotiate a new, higher-paying contract.
Julie Allemand’s WNBA Salary vs. Fenerbahçe Earnings: A Detailed Look
Belgian basketball star Julie Allemand has opened up about her WNBA salary, revealing a surprising financial reality: she earns more playing for Fenerbahçe in Turkey than in the WNBA. Despite signing a lucrative two-year deal worth $850,000 with the expansion Toronto Tempo, Allemand’s net income from her European club surpasses her WNBA earnings.
Allemand, who has previously played for the Indiana Fever, Chicago Sky, and Los Angeles Sparks, expressed her enthusiasm for the move to Toronto. She found the “overly Americanized mentality” of Los Angeles not to her liking and views Toronto as a more suitable environment. The prospect of playing with fellow European players and the team’s ambitious project, coupled with a positive connection with the coach, has made her optimistic about her role with the Tempo.
However, the financial aspect of her WNBA contract has drawn attention. While the $850,000 deal represents a significant jump from her previous $85,000 salary, Allemand clarified that this figure is gross and subject to taxes. She noted that her contract is still considered a rookie deal, and although they negotiated to increase it from the minimum, the net amount is less than what she received at Fenerbahçe, where her income was calculated directly as net pay.
Looking ahead, Allemand anticipates her financial situation in the WNBA to improve. She will become a free agent in two years, giving her the opportunity to negotiate a new contract with a potentially higher salary.
