Straight out of a record-shattering collegiate career, Caitlin Clark joined the professionals in the WNBA in April 2024. Though her salary didn’t match her charisma on the court, Clark is changing the narrative in women’s basketball with her incredible ratings and influence. The Iowa native takes credit for drawing millions of new viewers to women’s college and professional basketball games since she shot to prominence.
Despite the growing popularity of the WNBA, the league still struggles to keep up with its counterparts in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL in terms of earnings. Despite limitations inspired by the league’s collective salary agreement, Caitlin Clark remains one of the most bankable female athletes in the States. With over $3 million of estimated earnings from NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, Clark was among the top five college athletes who monetized their talent.
Caitlin Clark Played College Basketball For the Iowa Hawkeyes
Considered one of the greatest collegiate players of all time, Caitlin began her exploits at age five, competiting in boys’ recreational leagues because girls her age didn’t have such platforms. She continued playing basketball at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, where ESPN rated her as the fourth-best player in her class. Also, Clark was named a McDonald’s All-American.
For her college career, Caitlin Clark played with the Iowa Hawkeyes at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She joined the team as a point guard, posting 27 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in her first game. This led to a 96-81 win against Northern Iowa and her stats continued to rise throughout her college career. Subsequently, Clark became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer and a two-time national player of the year while playing with the Hawkeyes.
She Was The 2024 WNBA Draft’s First Overall Pick
Born on January 22, 2022, the 6-foot-tall point guard declared for the 2024 WNBA draft on February 29, 2024. Several publications, including ESPN, CBS Sports, and USA Today projected her as the first overall pick due to the groundbreaking records tagged to her name. The predictions proved right and on April 15, 2024, Indiana Fever snagged her in round 1 as the first overall pick of the 2024 WNBA draft.
"Hi, I'm Caitlin Clark, guard for the Indiana Fever."
We go behind the scenes of a historic @WNBA Draft in the latest episode of Fever All-Access presented by @AnthemBCBS, as we make our three selections and welcome the No. 1 overall pick to Indiana. pic.twitter.com/LSH1TzbbhJ
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 23, 2024
Signed to Indiana Fever’s rookie scale contract, Clark made her regular season debut when the team went up against the Connecticut Sun on May 14. 2024. She has continued her record-breaking streak in the big league, receiving the WNBA’s Rookie of the Month in May for averaging 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. Clark was also named the fastest rookie in WNBA history to surpass 100 points and 50 assists after posting a career-high 30 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks in a single game.
How Much Is Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Salary?
Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA with impressive stats which is expected to reflect in her salary. However, the WNBA puts a cap on players’ pay through the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Thus, as the first overall pick, Clark is set to receive $76,535 as her rookie season salary. Subsequently, she will earn $338,056 over the next four years of her rookie contract with the team.
Clark’s pay can rise to the tune of $500,000 due to provisions allowing her to take on marketing and promotional agreements. Again, her popularity in the American sports arena guarantees juicy endorsement deals. Gatorade and State Farm have secured endorsement deals with her while there are reports of a whopping $20 million Nike contract in the pipeline. With over 2.5 million followers on Instagram, Clark is set for higher NIL earnings than most WNBA players.
How Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Contract Compares to No. 1 Picks From the NBA and NFL
The WNBA might be one of the big leagues but the player’s salaries shrink compared to other sports leagues. A comparison between Clark’s rookie deal and other recent top picks in the NBA and NFL reveals a major disparity. Victor Wembanyama signed a four-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs worth $55.1 million in 2023. He was drafted first overall during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.
For the NFL, Bryce Young scooped a four-year contract worth $37.9 million after getting selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Paul Skenes, the first overall pick during the 2023 MLB Draft secured a $9.2 million with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Additionally, hockey star, Connor Bedard who emerged as first overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft was awarded a three-year contract worth $13.2 million by the Chicago Blackhawks. Here’s the real reason Caitlin Clark didn’t make the national team for the Olympics.
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