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The fabulous (and athletic) life of pro sports power couple Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller
The fabulous (and athletic) life of pro sports power couple Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller
Meredith CashApr 7, 2023, 23:25 IST
Kelsey Plum is a WNBA All-Star guard who won the 2022 championship with the Las Vegas Aces.
Darren Waller is an NFL tight end and 2020 Pro Bowler who plays for the New York Giants.
Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller are two of the most talented athletes in American professional sports.
The all-time leading scorer in Division I women's college basketball history, Plum has become a WNBA superstar and helped lead the Las Vegas Aces to their first-ever championship during the 2022 season. Waller, meanwhile, enjoyed a standout career as Georgia Tech's leading wide receiver before becoming one of the top tight ends in the NFL.
The pair of superstars got married — almost in secret — on March 4, 2023, officially forming one of the most notable young power couples in all of sports. And with all that talent has come plenty of compensation.
Here's how the duo makes and spends their millions:
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Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller are one of the most powerful young couples in professional sports — and you may not have even known they were together.
Kelsey Plum (left) and Darren Waller.AP Photo/Darryl Webb; AP Photo/John Locher
The superstars were rumored to have started dating in 2022, though Waller was spotted attending Plum's games with the Aces as far back as 2021.
Darren Waller (center) attends a Las Vegas Aces game in September 2021 alongside some of his Raiders teammates.AP Photo/Steve Marcus
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They've only made a handful of public appearances over the course of their relationship.
The following month, Plum brought Waller to an Aces event spotlighting the 50th anniversary of Title IX.
Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller at the 2022 IX Awards at Allegiant Stadium.Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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After Plum helped the Aces to the 2022 WNBA title, Waller attended the victory parade in Las Vegas.
In October, the pair took in a San Diego Padres game together.
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But it was unconfirmed whether the duo were just friends or something more — until a third party spilled the beans.
Darren Waller hugs Kelsey Plum after a Las Vegas Aces game.Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels accidentally leaked their wedding details — the date, city, and the fact that it was taking place at all — to the press during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Josh McDaniels speaks with reporters during a news conference.AP Photo/John Locher
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Just three days later, the couple tied the knot.
The two seemed destined to live happily ever after as the King and Queen of Las Vegas, but their plans changed when the Raiders traded Waller to the New York Giants.
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Plum and Waller are "going to do whatever it takes to remain strong together" despite their careers taking them to opposite coasts.
Fortunately for the newlyweds, the WNBA and NFL seasons don't take place at exactly the same time.
Kelsey Plum poses with her WNBA "Sixth Woman of the Year" award.AP Photo/David Becker
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But with millions of dollars in combined annual salary, the pair should have no problem affording plane tickets for the times they aren't able to reside together.
Darren Waller.Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Waller became one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL after signing a three-year, $51 million deal with the Raiders in September 2022.
Darren Waller reacts during a game against the Denver Broncos.AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
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He also makes a considerable amount of money through endorsement deals with a slew of companies.
And as the great-grandson of jazz legend Fats Waller, the football star has a foot in the music industry, too.
Jazz legend Fats Waller is Darren Waller's great grandfather.Bettmann/Getty Images
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Waller long struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, but after committing to his recovery, he started a foundation to help at-risk youth avoid and overcome their addictions.
Waller signs autographs for Raiders fans.Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Despite his considerable income, Waller doesn't appear to lead a particularly lavish lifestyle.
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Like her husband, Plum is one of the highest-paid athletes in her sport.
Plum celebrates during Game 2 of the 2022 WNBA Finals.Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
The point guard has racked up many endorsement deals with top brands.
Kelsey Plum in the Under Armour "Protect this House" commercial.Under Armour
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Like her husband, Plum appears to live a low-key life outside of the basketball world.
Kelsey Plum.AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
Despite their prominence in the sports world and significant income, Waller and Plum appear to have a level perspective on life.