Playing in the WNBA was a dream come true for Caitlin Clark, but it didn’t come with a fat paycheck, as many would expect. In April 2024, it was reported that Clark is predicted to make $76,535 in her first year as a rookie and an estimated $338,000 over her four-year contract. According to The Guardian, WNBA players receive a fraction of what male basketballers get, with Clark earning only 2% of the median NBA salary.
Clark’s salary sparked a conversation about the pay disparities between men and women in sports. “Inequality at its finest,” one user wrote on X. President Joe Biden also responded to news of Clark’s pay, writing in a tweet: “It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.”
However, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has defended the league against criticisms, explaining at the 2024 Changemakers Summit that there is a “false narrative” surrounding Clark’s salary. According to Engelbert, in addition to her base salary, Clark could make as high as $500,000 in wages and bonuses from the WNBA. “She also has millions and millions of dollars in endorsements, and actually because she’s declared to become pro, her endorsements are higher in dollar value — she has a global platform now, not just a U.S. platform, so she’s going to do just fine as well,” Engelbert added.
