When Caitlin Clark suits up for her first professional game, she will instantly become one of the biggest draws in the WNBA.
The 22-year-old is one of the most talked about names in American sports – she now owns the best-selling jersey of all time for a draft pick – but the sharpshooter won’t get paid like that by his team. .
Despite a record-setting college career and an arguably No. 1 overall selection by the Indiana Fever in this week’s WNBA draft, Clark’s salary for her first season will be just over $76,000.
Clark’s salary will increase over the course of his four-year rookie contract, leaving him with a total income of $338,056.
And although her WNBA earnings this season could actually be closer to $500,000 thanks to provisions allowing her to enter into marketing and promotional deals with her league and team, Clark’s salary pales in comparison to recruits from the country’s most established sports leagues.
Although she has signed endorsement deals with Gatorade, State Farm and is close to reaching an agreement with Nike on a deal worth over $20 million, Clark’s WNBA salary is limited by the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
The WNBA has grown in popularity in recent years, but it still lags behind the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL. The highest-paid WNBA player is Las Vegas Aces star Jackie Young, who will earn just over $250,000 this season. The NBA’s salary leader, meanwhile, is Steph Curry, who made $51.9 million from the Golden State Warriors this year.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert noted this week during the CNBC Changemakers event that the league is making progress in catching up with men’s leagues that are “75 to 120 years old.”
“We’re going into our 28th season. I would say if you look at (other leagues) 28 seasons, we’re further along,” she said. “But we realize that we still have a lot of work to do and that it is the ecosystem around us that generates revenue.”
Here’s how Clark’s rookie contract compares to the most recent top picks from America’s four major sports leagues.
NBA basketball: Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.
Sarah Stier | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Contract: 4 years, $55.1 million
Football: Bryce Young
Bryce Young poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
David Eulitt | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
Team: Carolina Panthers
Contract: 4 years, $37.9 million
Baseball: Paul Skenes
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.
Diamond Images | Diamond Images | Getty Images
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Contract: $9.2 million
Hockey: Connor Bédard
Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Michael Reaves | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
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