College basketball superstar Kaitlyn Clark is set to soar to new heights in the WNBA — but her new contract will see her pay only a fraction of the millions her male counterparts are paid on the court.
The University of Iowa legend, who already made history as the top scorer in NCAA Division I basketball, inked a deal with the Indiana Fever after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft on Monday.
According to the WNBA, the deal will see Clark earn $338,056 over four years. Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Under the 2024 WNBA rookie scale, base salaries for Nos. 1 – 4 draft picks are $76,535, second year $78,066, third year $85,873 and fourth year option $97,582.
Despite her unprecedented star power, Clark's salary is a fraction of the eye-popping sums made by male athletes in the NBA.
WNBA draft pick no. 2-4 — Stanford's Cameron Brink to the Los Angeles Sparks, South Carolina's Camila Cardoso to the Chicago Sky and Tennessee's Rickia Jackson to the Sparks — will earn the same salary as Clark.
By comparison, San Antonio Spurs rookie star Victor Wembaniama — the No. 1 pick in last year's NBA draft — received a $55 million, four-year deal that pocketed $12.1 million in his first season, according to Athletics Contract Watch. Spotter.
While Clarke likely earns more through endorsements and sponsorships, social media took to the anger over the apparent salary disparity between the WNBA and the NBA.
“Today” host Hoda Cote said Tuesday morning: “They've already sold out the games. She's had high ratings, her teams and the Final Four have had high ratings — more than the World Series, more than the NBA. So, what's she going to get paid? Because finally, you can get a real salary and then I saw, this can't be right.
Co-host Jenna Bush Hager added: “Honestly the gap is so confusing … We're talking about equal pay. It's not even close.
They noted that things could change in the future as the games are already sold out and viewership, which has historically lagged behind the NBA, has risen in part due to Clark's popularity.
Male athletes have also dabbled in the interval.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson shared a post about Clark's salary. XAnd: “These women are so deserving … praying for the day.”
“It doesn't matter what Caitlin Clarks salary is because she makes millions from endorsements, that's all that really matters” A user in X wrote
“Presumably she'll make bank on endorsements, but Caitlin Clark's WNBA salary is less than that of a union nurse, teacher or janitor” Another was added.
Journalist Lisa Ling wrote Instagram: “Steph Curry makes more in one game than Caitlin Clark has in 4 years! With the toll sports and travel take on women's bodies, is it even a living wage? I know WNBA games don't bring in comparable numbers by any stretch of the imagination, but this is a shame. Well done to all our female athletes!
The fight for more equal pay in women's basketball has been a long one.
“From a salary standpoint, it would be great if women made more money,” WNBA legend Lisa Leslie said on the October 2022 episode.Store: Seamless” in conversation with fellow basketball stars LeBron James and Draymond Green.
“It's a lot of work — it's a lot of hard work. I think I've seen a player who makes $12 million on an NBA team say they can cover the salary of the entire WNBA. So that's kind of crazy,” he added.
The WNBA did not immediately respond to an NBC News request for comment.