Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Contract Numbers Have Leaked, And They’re Flat-Out Embarrassing
Caitlin Clark (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
How much money will Caitlin Clark earn with a WNBA salary after the Indiana Fever selected the star?
The Fever officially selected Clark with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft in New York on Monday night, and she made history as the two-time national player of the year and is now the first Iowa Hawkeyes player, men’s or women’s, to ever be selected with the top pick in the draft.
After being selected, former Iowa star Caitlin Clark is now set to get just a modest payday.
Spotrac revealed the WNBA rookie pay scale as Caitlin Clark will sign a four-year contract with the Fever worth $338,056. In fact, the first four picks in the WNBA Draft will make the same amount, while the next four picks and last four picks will get slightly lesser deals.
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You don’t have to feel too bad for Clark, as On3.com reported she made an estimated $3.4 million in name, image, and likeness deals during her senior season at Iowa. Overall, Clark ranked fourth among all NIL-eligible athletes and first in women’s college basketball.
Many of her NIL deals include Nike, Gatorade, and State Farm. She is likely to maintain most of her sponsorship deals as she transitions to the professional level. Clark has emerged as one of the most marketable athletes across sports and will have more endorsement opportunities than a typical NBA player who is earning a minimum salary.
Caitlin Clark Has The Entire WNBA On Her Back
Caitlin Clark (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark is officially a professional after she was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft Monday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
She will now be tasked with taking the entire WNBA to new heights as many see her as the Stephen Curry or LeBron James of the WNBA.
Caitlin Clark’s WNBA salary slammed by Super Bowl winner Justin Reid who calls her $76,535 first-year earnings ‘robbery’ …. as fans compare the star’s contract to a ‘Draymond Green fine’
Caitlin Clark’s starting WNBA salary has been slammed by Super Bowl winner Justin Reid as ‘robbery,’ with the former Iowa star set to make just $76,535 in her rookie season.
After being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in Monday’s WNBA Draft, Clark will sign a four-year, $338,056 deal with the team, with the option of a fourth year.
And Reid, who’s won the last two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, railed against the salary that Clark will be receiving.
‘This is unbelievable,’ he said on X. ‘CC has made Iowa and everyone else around her millions & surely do the same in the WNBA and will see none of it… Robbery.’
Clark’s salary 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 make under $77,000 in her rookie season of the WNBA with the Fever
And her salary was slammed by Chiefs defensive back Justin Reid, who called it ‘robbery’
Clark is the NCAA’s all-time points leader (men’s and women’s) and twice won the National Player of the Year at Iowa.
Despite those accolades, she will start her WNBA career with an extremely modest salary by professional sports standards, with fans comparing her deal to the pay of 9-to-5 jobs.
‘Teacher salary for a superstar is wild,’ one said. ‘The WNBA has to do better. This is unacceptable.’
Another said, ‘Biggest woman’s hooper in the world is getting paid an entry level consultant salary.’
And a different fan quipped, ‘Somebody said Caitlin Clark’s rookie contract is a fine for Draymond [Green].’
Clark, who is sponsored by State Farm Insurance, is seen with ‘Jake from State Farm’
For comparison, Victor Wembanyama – last year’s No. 1 overall pick in the NBA – earned $12,160,680 in his first season with the San Antonio Spurs
Notably, the WNBA has never been profitable and was projected to gross between $180 million and $200 million in revenue last season, according to Bloomberg, while the NBA has recently topped $10billion in revenue.
Nonetheless, Clark will be well-compensated financially with the help of various endorsement deals.
She already has deals in place with blue chip companies like State Farm Insurance, Nike, Gatorade, Buick, Hy-Vee and many others.
