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Could Caitlin Clark’s hype lead to higher pay for WNBA players?

CORRECTS TO CAITLIN CLARK NOT CAITLYN CLARK - Iowa's Caitlin Clark, left, poses for a photo with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, right, after being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever during the first round of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (Adam Hunger)

NEW YORK CITY – The WNBA just had one of its biggest draft nights in league history. What’s next from here?

Monday night, the Indiana Fever kicked off the draft with a highly predicted move, selecting generational Iowa guard Caitlin Clark first overall.

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MORE: Caitlin Clark taken No. 1 in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, as expected

Clark rapidly became one of the biggest names in basketball during her college career, earning two straight AP Player of the Year awards and taking the Hawkeyes to back-to-back NCAA championship game appearances.

Stanford standout Cameron Brink was taken second overall to the Los Angeles Sparks, and South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso rounded out the top three.

SEE ALSO: Women’s pay is up for discussion AGAIN following the WNBA Draft 🏀💸 Let’s talk about it

While the draft was an exciting moment for the future of women’s basketball, it also sparked conversations on how much room for financial growth still exists.

According to Spotrac, a sports contract tracking website, the top four selections in the WNBA draft—including Clark—will earn a salary of $76,535 in their rookie years.

That number pales in comparison to the compensation in the NBA. San Antonio Spurs’ rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama earned $12,160,680 in his first year. The lowest-paid player in the NBA makes around $1.1 million.

MORE: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are headed to the WNBA. Are they also destined for a pay cut?

Despite the large disparity in salaries, the league’s future gives players and fans a lot to look forward to.

Clark’s Hawkeyes were must-watch TV during her collegiate career, culminating with the women’s basketball Final Four earning higher ratings than the men’s in 2023. If her electric, offensive game translates to a professional game, viewership for the WNBA could skyrocket, creating avenues for higher pay.

RELATED: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese hope to carry over college momentum to the WNBA

According to Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti, the WNBA has a lot to be excited about in the coming years. With more attention than ever before and the option to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement in 2025, the league will have the chance to prove its profitability and fight for higher compensation for its players.

SEE ALSO: Clark Effect: Ratings and attendance boost could be on way for WNBA


About the Author
Michael Horton headshot

Michael is a Kingwood native who loves visiting local restaurants and overreacting to Houston sports. He joined the KPRC 2 family in the spring of 2024. He earned his B.A. from Texas A&M University in 2022 and his M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023.

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