Caitlin Clark will earn just $76,535 in her first season in the WNBA as part of her rookie contract with the Indiana Fever.
The 22-year-old sensation was, as expected, taken with the first pick in the WNBA draft in Brooklyn on Monday night.
But the value of her rookie contract is way below the typical NBA deal that male college prospects sign.
Clark will earn $338,056 over the course of her four years in Indiana. She will sign a three-year contract with the option of a fourth year.
In year one, Clark will bring in $76,535. That goes up to $78,066 in year two before climbing further to $85,873 in year three. If the option for the fourth year is taken, Clark will then earn $97,582.
Caitlin Clark will earn just $76,535 in her first season in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever
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Victor Wembanyama – the No. 1 men’s draft pick – earned $12,160,680 in his first NBA season
For comparison, Victor Wembanyama – the No. 1 men’s draft pick – earned $12,160,680 in his first season with the San Antonio Spurs.
Fortunately, for Clark, she is a magnet for commercial opportunities away from the court and her income will receive a significant boost from sponsorship deals.
Clark already has deals in place with blue chip companies like State Farm Insurance, Nike, Gatorade, Buick, Hy-Vee and many others.
Her NIL (name, image and likeness) value was recently reported to be $3.4million.
Clark, who wore a white Prada jacket and skirt to the draft, arrives in the WNBA as the most successful college player in history, which has made her the new star of the sport.
The former Iowa star has become a household name in recent months and she will now try and help revive the Indiana franchise along with last season’s No. 1 pick, Aliyah Boston, who previously played with Clark on a USA Basketball Under-19 team.
Clark has already signed lucrative deals with companies like State Farm and Gatorade
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Clark appeared on Good Morning America on Tuesday just hours after the WNBA draft
She continued her media frenzy in New York City this week by stopping by ABC’s Good Morning America on Tuesday, admitting she was ‘anxious’ going into the draft.
Clark said: ‘It feels super special. Sitting at the table, kind of knowing where I was going, you still get a bit anxious when the commissioner walks out and says your name.
‘It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was in second grade. Being there at the table with my family was amazing and to share it with them was super special.’
When asked about the pressure on her over the past month as she guided the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NCAA Championship game and leading up to the draft, she added: ‘Honestly I feel like it’s just something that comes with it.
‘I don’t feel a lot of it. It’s just come with how I’ve handled myself and gone about my business every single day.
‘That’s what I try to do the most but at the same time I always remind myself that this is a team sport. I have a lot of people to rely on and then outside of basketball I know I can rely on my friends and family to be there and support me.
‘At times you can definitely feel the weight of the world on your shoulders but, more than anything, to me this is fun, it’s a game, just enjoy it. Like, how lucky am I?’
