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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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.
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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.
https://t.co/hqF3Oq155B pic.twitter.com/Q5cmWaMz9c
— Spotrac (@spotrac) April 15, 2024
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.
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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.
It's a big two years for the WNBA.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) April 16, 2024
Just inherited the most recognizable draft class in league history (arguably).
In negotiations to increase their current TV/Streaming deal from $60M to $100M.
Will expand from 12 to 16 teams.
Players can opt-out of current CBA after 2025.
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