The salary amount of Caitlin Clark, the number one overall pick by Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft, has sparked outrage among basketball fans. Over her 4-year contract, despite historic college basketball performances, Clark will be paid $338,056, not even close to the amount of an NBA player.
Clark had a highly successful college career at the University of Iowa, where she became the top NCAA Division I scoring player in basketball. Now, her WNBA salary started a scandal.
Under the league collective bargaining agreement, Clark will be paid an annual wage of no less than $76,535 in her first year and up to $97,582 in her fourth year.
The NBA’s 2023 No.1 draft pick, Victor Wembanyama, earned $55 million in 2023 from joining the San Antonio Spurs and another $12.1 million the next year.
This pay disparity continues to draw attention to the main issue. Of course, brands like State Farm, Gatorade, and Nike have contracted with Clark for high-paying endorsements likely to increase her salary earnings, but depending on endorsement money is not viable.
Furthermore, relying on sponsor money to supplement WNBA wages is not a sustainable source of revenue for all athletes. The bargaining contrasts point to the hardships of WNBA players, most of whom play abroad for greater pay during the off-season.
The outrage regarding Clark’s pay is consistent with the pushback against fairness and equity concerns in professional sports pay and whether continued compensation with a high-value system should continue.