Candace Parker is more than just a star on the basketball court, she’s a WNBA champion, Olympic gold medalist, and respected sports analyst. Her impact on and off the court has made her one of the most influential figures in women’s sports.
With such an impressive resume, it’s no surprise that fans are curious about her earnings. So, how much is Candace Parker’s net worth, and how has she built her success both as an athlete and a media personality?
What is Candace Parker’s Net Worth?
Candace Parker is an American former professional basketball player with an estimated net worth of $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Her money comes from her WNBA salary, endorsement deals, broadcasting work, and business projects. She is one of the highest-paid women in the league and her popularity has helped her land major brand deals.
She started earning big when she was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2008. She made about $75,000 per season in the early years. WNBA salaries have grown since then and top players like Candace now make $200,000 or more per season. But most of her wealth comes from endorsements and media jobs.
Candace Parker’s Early Life and Introduction to Basketball
Candace Parker was born on April 19, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri. She has two older brothers, one of whom is former NBA player Anthony Parker. Her family moved to Naperville, Illinois when she was two, where she grew up.
Basketball was a big part of her family. Her father, Larry, played at Joliet West High School and the University of Iowa in the 1970s. The family were also fans of the Chicago Bulls. At first, Candace was unsure about playing basketball. She worried she wouldn’t be as good as her dad and brother. So, she played soccer instead. It wasn’t until eighth grade that her family encouraged her to try basketball.
Her dad, Larry, coached her and pushed her hard. He would challenge her to work harder and never let her coast. If she didn’t practice well, he would leave her at the park to run home. This tough love helped Candace get better at basketball.
Candace Parker’s Marriage, Earnings, and Endorsements
Candace Parker was married to Shelden Williams, a former NBA player, from 2008 to 2016. They have a daughter together. Shelden earned $12 million in his NBA career. Candace earned around $1 million during her WNBA career but made much more playing overseas for teams like UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia. She continues to make a lot of money as a broadcaster.
During her time in the WNBA, Candace’s earnings were limited by the league’s salary cap. Early on, her maximum salary was only around $115,000. After the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, her salary increased to about $190,000 with the Chicago Sky.
Over 15 years in the WNBA, she earned just over $1 million. However, playing overseas was much more profitable. She earned up to 20 times more in countries like Russia, China, and Turkey, where top players make seven figures a season.
Off the court, Candace has been very successful with endorsements. Her first big deal was with Gatorade when she turned pro in 2008. She also signed a multi-million-dollar deal with Adidas and later got her signature sneaker line called “Ace.” She worked with other brands like CarMax and Capital One and became the first woman on the cover of NBA 2K. These endorsement deals have made her a household name and earned her more money than her WNBA salary.
Candace Parker’s High School Career and Rise to Fame
Candace Parker, like her older brother Anthony Parker, went to Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Illinois. She led her high school basketball team to win state titles in 2003 and 2004. She scored a school-record 2,768 points and 1,592 rebounds in 119 games.
Parker won the USA Today High School Player of the Year award twice, in 2003 and 2004. She also earned the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year awards in both 2003 and 2004. In 2004, she was named Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year and earned spots on the WBCA All-American and McDonald’s All-American teams. She was a four-time All-State first-team player.
On December 27, 2001, as a 15-year-old, Parker made the first slam dunk by a female athlete in Illinois. Later, she won the slam dunk contest at the 2004 McDonald’s All-American Game, beating famous players like Josh Smith and J. R. Smith.
In November 2003, Parker announced on ESPNEWS that she would play for Tennessee. She became the first female athlete to announce a college commitment on live TV.
In 2004, Parker helped the USA Junior World Championship team win a gold medal, averaging 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. While training, she had knee surgery for damage to her meniscus and cartilage.
Candace Parker wears number 3 to honor former NBA player Allen Iverson, who supported her during high school.
Candace Parker’s College Career and NCAA Success
Candace Parker joined the University of Tennessee in 2004. She had to redshirt her first season in 2005 because of a knee injury from a summer league game.
In the 2005-06 season, Parker played as a forward, center, and guard for the Tennessee Lady Vols. She made history on March 19, 2006, by being the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game. She even dunked twice in that game against Army.
Parker helped her team win the 2006 SEC tournament championship. In the final against LSU, she made the game-winning shot. She was named SEC Rookie of the Year and made the 2006 Kodak All-America team, a huge honor for a freshman. Sadly, Tennessee lost in the NCAA regional finals to North Carolina after Parker got into foul trouble.
In 2006, Parker was the only college player on the USA team for the FIBA World Championship in Brazil. The team finished in third place.
On January 28, 2007, Parker set a record by becoming the fastest player in Lady Vols history to score 1,000 points in just 56 games, breaking the record of famous players like Chamique Holdsclaw. Later that year, she was named SEC Player of the Year and led the Lady Vols to win the national championship in April, beating Rutgers 59-46. She was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
In February 2008, Parker decided to skip her last season at Tennessee to focus on the 2008 Olympics and start her professional career. She helped the Lady Vols win their second straight NCAA title on April 8, 2008, despite a shoulder injury. She was named Most Outstanding Player again, making her one of the few players to do so twice in a row.
Parker graduated in May 2008 with a 3.35 GPA, majoring in sports management. She was also named Academic All-American of the Year. Over her time at Tennessee, she helped her team win 100 games and lose only 10. She averaged 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game.
Candace Parker’s Legendary WNBA Career and Retirement
In 2008, Candace Parker was the first pick in the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. She made a huge impact right away, scoring 34 points in her debut, which set a rookie record. She also became the second woman to dunk in a WNBA game and the first to dunk twice. Parker was named Rookie of the Year and MVP that season, a rare achievement in basketball.
Candace Parker took some time off in 2009 after having her daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams. She missed a few games but came back strong, helping the Sparks reach the Western Conference Finals. In 2010, an injury limited her playing time, and in 2011, she suffered a knee injury that sidelined her for part of the season.
In 2012, Parker came back fully healthy and led the Sparks to a great season. In 2013, she won her second MVP award. Despite strong performances in the playoffs, the Sparks couldn’t win a title. In 2014, the Sparks went through ownership and coaching changes, but Parker kept leading the team with solid stats.
The year 2016 was special for Parker. She and the Sparks won their first WNBA championship since 2002. After a tough season filled with emotions, especially the loss of her college coach Pat Summitt, Parker helped lead the Sparks to the finals. The Sparks won in a close Game 5, with Parker’s teammate Nneka Ogwumike scoring the winning shot. Parker was named Finals MVP, and the championship was dedicated to Pat Summitt.
In 2017, Parker signed a new contract and helped the Sparks reach the finals again, though they lost to the Minnesota Lynx. She continued playing at a high level, earning All-Star honors in 2018. She even made history with a unique stat line in a game against the Seattle Storm. However, injuries and tough playoff losses kept the Sparks from winning another title.
In 2019, Parker battled a hamstring injury, but she still managed to lead the Sparks in key games. In 2020, despite the challenges of playing in a “bubble” due to COVID-19, Parker had one of her best seasons, leading the league in rebounds and earning the Defensive Player of the Year award.
In 2021, Candace Parker became a free agent and left the Los Angeles Sparks after 13 seasons. She signed a 2-year contract with the Chicago Sky. Moving back to Chicago, where she grew up, allowed her to play closer to home and chase another championship.
She said, “Chicago is where my family raised me and where I first learned basketball. I’m excited to continue my career here.” During the season, she was named to The W25, which honored the top 25 players in the history of the league. The Sky made it to the playoffs and won the 2021 WNBA Finals by defeating the Phoenix Mercury.
In February 2023, Parker joined the Las Vegas Aces. She had surgery for a foot injury in July but came back to help the Aces win the 2023 WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty. This was her third championship. On February 7, 2024, Parker signed a one-year contract to stay with the Aces.
On April 28, 2024, Candace Parker announced her retirement from professional basketball. Just a week later, on May 8, 2024, Adidas named her the president of women’s basketball. She had a long partnership with the brand, including her own signature sneaker line.
Candace Parker’s Personal Life and Family Milestones
Candace Parker was named to People’s 100 World’s Most Beautiful People list on May 7, 2007.
She married Shelden Williams, a former Duke basketball player, on November 13, 2008. They have a daughter, Lailaa Nicole Williams, born in 2009. In 2013, they bought a large home in Encino, Los Angeles, for $3.56 million. However, they divorced in November 2016 after eight years of marriage due to “irreconcilable differences.”
In October 2020, Parker and Lailaa became part of the ownership group of Angel City FC, a new women’s soccer team in Los Angeles. The team began playing in 2022.
On December 14, 2021, Parker revealed that she married Anna Petrakova in 2019 and that they were expecting a child. Petrakova gave birth to their son, Airr Larry Petrakov Parker, on February 11, 2022. In December 2023, they announced they were expecting another baby. Their second son, Hartt Summitt Petrakov Parker, was born on May 21, 2024.
Candace Parker has a dog named Prada and used to have a St. Bernard mix named Fendi. She appeared with Fendi in a PETA anti-fur ad.
Candace Parker’s Real Estate Investments
In October 2013, Candace Parker and Shelden bought a mansion in Encino, California for $3.56 million. The house was 7,000 square feet. They sold it in November 2015 for the same price, $3.56 million.
In January 2021, Candace bought a modern farmhouse in Tarzana, California for $4 million. The house is 6,300 square feet and has five bedrooms, a big basement with a home theater, and a pool. Today, this home is probably worth about $5 million.
FAQs
How much is Candace Parker worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Candace Parker’s estimated net worth is around $7 million, earned through her WNBA career, broadcasting roles, endorsements, and business ventures.
What are the main sources of income for Candace Parker?
Candace Parker earns from her WNBA contracts, TNT/NBA broadcasting work, endorsement deals with brands like Adidas and Gatorade, and investments in sports and wellness companies.
Has Candace Parker’s net worth increased over the years?
Yes, her net worth has steadily grown thanks to her success on the court and transition into sports media and business, making her one of the most financially successful female athletes in the U.S.
Does Candace Parker own any luxury assets or real estate?
Candace Parker reportedly owns real estate in Los Angeles and Chicago, and lives a balanced lifestyle, often spotlighted on social media with her family.
How does Candace Parker’s net worth compare to other WNBA players?
Candace Parker is among the highest-paid and wealthiest WNBA players, alongside stars like Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird, thanks to her dual career in sports and media.
