Caitlin Clark Will Make a Lot More Than Her WNBA Base Salary - Here's How

Caitlin Clark is heading to the Indiana Fever, the number one draft pick and the highest-scoring college basketball player of all time. And while she may not be getting millions from the WNBA, there's a few ways she'll net compensation for her generational talents.

[@GurnBograt1986]

She makes 3 pointers look really easy.

[@VeraxMusic]

To say the least

[@llewelluynzepper6741]

I do not care what people say, good or bad for nothing, or great for many things, I like C.Clark and I will be following her games for the first time in WNBA. Boss! I am a man.

[@BubbaCoop]

The NBA has to SUBSIDIZE WNBA salaries because they don't sell enough tickets to cover it. For now. To anyone complaining about WNBA salaries, how many games have you gone to? How much WNBA merch have you paid for before yesterday? If they brought in 10% of NBA money they'd be making 10x as much.

[@StephanieHettinger-si9ur]

You're 100% correct Bubba.But I think that Women's basketball is headed in the right direction. I predict that the WNBA will sell more tickets and merchandise going forward.

[@BubbaCoop]

@@StephanieHettinger-si9ur certainly seems to be trending that direction.

[@jjackson59100]

Thank you for putting it all in perspective

[@Shmancyfancy536]

All anyone has to do is look at how empty the seats are in WNBA games. Thats why they arn’t getting paid.

[@bmf572]

How many women watch these women play basketball/soccer, etc? Maybe if more women would participate in watching and SUPPORTING female sports the athletes would make more $$$$!?!

[@johngurganus3348]

Pay is based on draw and WNBA up to now, does not draw. Judging about the negative coments,the players are fine with the status quo.

[@bigdizave]

The WNBA season is only four months long. $75,000 for only four months work is a dream job for most Americans.

[@undolf4097]

They practice year round but yeah that’s good money

[@HenryFrederick]

Yeah, well $12 million for the Top NBA rookie is like winning the lottery for most folks!

[@playerx2006]

oh, didn't know it was only 4 months

[@hipking23]

They put their bodies at risk of entertainment.

[@thee_morpheus]

@@undolf4097 "but we talkin about practice, not a game"

[@johntruxal432]

Wnba has never made a profit in 27 years and lives off nba funding...clarks fever team has already sold out all their games , even on the road. The rest of the league will still lose money...😂

[@T_WILL77]

Just said that to somebody in their comment

[@jlv3x]

The Indiana Fever just became the second team in WNBA history to sell out season tickets, and the first was the Las Vegas Aces just a couple of months ago. Hopefully this sudden interest brings in new fans that will continue to watch.

[@geraldos9094]

If CC doesn’t put up 20 ppg at least, the excitement will die down.

[@johntruxal432]

@@geraldos9094 Clark will be top 10 in assists with Boston and that roster , probably starts lower in ppg but that will grow after her assist count grows. Just my guess but that roster is young enough to run and gun fast breaks steady.

[@geraldos9094]

@@johntruxal432 They already have women averaging 20 points with 10 assists. What’s gonna make CC special? People are putting a lot of pressure on her just to expect average results.

[@MrSoulauctioneer]

you don't have a girlfriend Michael......Caitlin read Colin's roasts perfectly.

[@smilyle]

The WNBA has great benefits packages, that include housing, food, and transportation and even childcare. The women don't really have any personal expenses they have to pay for during the season. They can pretty much pocket all of their money. And someone like Clark isn't going to have to pay for any of her clothing or jewelry. She probably won't even have to pay for her cell phone to be honest. They don't really have any expenses. So they are by no means struggling or poor.

[@PeterM8987]

Pay equity? Barely anyone watches the WNBA.

[@StephanieHettinger-si9ur]

You're right Peter but with these superstars entering the league,I can see ticket and merchandise sales increasing.

[@Quicks1lvr]

​@@StephanieHettinger-si9uryes 2 week old account. You certainly see tickets sales rising. Just like the sales for scripts and KZbin bots is up as well.

[@StephanieHettinger-si9ur]

I love watching Caitlin Clark play.She is an assassin.

[@MiguelVitales]

Thanks for the entry of Caitlin Clark in WNBA, many sponsors will pour in, salaries of players will surely increase.

[@eudaenomic]

Well, Caitlin Clark is drawing a big crowd as has been announced so the money for better pay will be there soon. Let's hope the owners and management don't get greedy.

[@Flash16xx]

I've never been into the WNBA much less women's college ball, but I am now thanks to Caitlin.

[@2wheelz3504]

It's not about gender equity, it's about money. If Caitlin generates the same interest in the WNBA as she did in the NCAAW the money will come. If other women in the WNBA continue their stereotypical backbiting, even Caitlin won't be able to help the league. Fans appreciate mutual respect and will not tolerate less. Even when men get into fights on the court, there is respect.

[@HenryFrederick]

Great report!

[@zealazax6287]

WNBA players should get paid according to their talent and not seniority.

[@ButlerEchandia]

Same as the male sports. Rookie contracts are set by where you are selected.

[@johntruxal432]

Wnba has never made a profit and lives off nba wellfare.

[@BIYShacks]

@zealazax6287 All Players in ANY SPORT (pay check ) is based on TICKET SALES and Corporate Sponsorships. The ticket 🎫 sales for the WNBA are not sustainable. As a matter of fact if it wasn't for the NBA the WNBA would have gone bankrupt and out of business years ago. If you want to see WNBA players get a pay raise then I suggest you buy Season Tickets to your favorite WNBA team and if you own a business, consider investing in a Corporate Sponsorship.😮

[@ghsense2626]

In your job do you expect a fresh graduate to earn more than you? If that's the case go and give your check to that person

[@FirstLast-rd6hw]

The WNBA is a business and since 1996 they have been a failing business. If you look at just last years numbers, in order for the league to not lose money each of the 144 players would need to pay back 70k. Fortunately for them, the men of the NBA covered the bill.

[@Shakester71]

They have to stop comparing WNBA salaries to NBA player salaries. First off, the obvious. There just isn't the advertising opportunities that there is in the NBA. Second, the WNBA plays less than half of an NBA season. Third. When it comes to revenue sharing, there are only 12 WNBA teams against 30 NBA teams.

[@hanklohan]

The money is in the attention. Besides a few retirees and the staff, no one is there to market to.

[@roberthoneywell]

And to add to what you said, the NBA has spent a lot more years developing their league and their television deals, developing rivalries, and fan base. But I also want to point out that the women's game is different, somehow, more fundamental than the men's, I suppose because they don't have the strength and agility of the men. I enjoy watching women's sports because it is different. They will get there.

[@jamesbonderant2346]

Sounds to me like women need to start supporting women’s athletics, to the tune men support the men’s leagues. As the discussion went with comedian Bill Burr 😂

[@mariagregg2350]

where would the money go? Tickets for the fever went up 173.00 per person

[@ghsense2626]

The owners have been losing money for a long time, let them enjoy a little

[@FirstLast-rd6hw]

They had a chance of actually selling out the stadium for a game or two this season. With the price increase they have no chance.

[@HenagaH]

It’s up to the female fans. Instead of only watching the men play all the time. Support the women !! And watch the games. They will then get paid more !!!

[@Quicks1lvr]

​@@ghsense2626but you cry about shrinkflation and the mean old corporations raising prices and not being taxed enough

[@kentuckylucky5762]

If those receipts goes up..players in wnba needs to do what billie jean king did yearsxago for equal pay... But right now its get viewers

[@shauncampbell4371]

Caitlin Clark will earn more money in NIL income than most people will earn in a lifetime and then she gets her rookie salary on top of that!!! And you are STILL complaining that its not enough. Has Caitlin ever complained about the money she is making?

[@michael1257]

She’s going to even make more Bank off Endorsements.

[@shauncampbell4371]

@@michael1257 NIL income refers to the money she will get from endorsements. E.g. Statefarm commercials.

[@mikelang6086]

When is her 1st GAME?

[@thee_morpheus]

What do these talking heads not understand about simple economics? Starting to think they do this on purpose, supply and demand is not a hard concept to understand.

[@robertporter1143]

Women's sports teams don't have enough fans

[@elihubildad6677]

Ohh now they concerned about wnba pay because of Carlin Clark.

[@thee_morpheus]

Carlin lol

[@pipextract]

WNBA needs to fill up Stadium then

[@Blacklist324]

How about doing a story on how the NBA underwrites the wnba which hasn't turned a profit since it's been in existence. Instead of comparing salaries they should be thanking Adam Silver and the nba owners for keeping the league going.

[@Ferrarix777]

There is a difference between basketball and soccer in the US. You can’t compare what happened with the USWNT with the WNBA. The WNBA will never come close to the Men’s game in viewership or sales.

[@amosjohnson2843]

168 million women in the US, and the total attendance for the entire WNBA last year (there best year ever) was roughly 1.6 million! The problem with the WNBA is the the lack of interest and support. People, including women, aren’t supporting the league. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@bentmch1]

Woman in the world we need to support WNBA and change that salary for these ladies and how we do thats supporting the views and there must be many other ways. Its not fair what they doing.

[@johntruxal432]

The wellfare league has never made a profit in 27 years. The 4 month season and salary is a gift from the nba. Clark is obviously selling out arenas for her team and made $3+ miliion last seasn in nil. Would you happen to know what nil is...?

[@user-hz4iu3fk9q]

I believe their pay per ticket sold is astronomical. Let’s see tickets sold per game 50 😢divided by say 1500$ per game salary = 30$ contribution per fan to the player. Using same equation for mens nba the contribution cost per ticket to player’s salary is around 2$ per on average 😮

[@happything100]

Attendance at NBA games is many times more than at WNBA games. Hopefully that will change.

[@corpr8dystopia778]

Woman player salaries come down to how much revenue the WNBA generates. It’s not a matter of equity, it’s a matter of demand and revenue creation, simple economics, nothing to do with gender whatsoever. The WNBA has to through an expansion, they are primed for it too, I expect revenue generation and salaries to increase considerably over the next 5 years.

[@may_it_please_the_court]

Just think if Caitlin could dunk the ball she'd be unstoppable.

[@craig7083]

The NBA for the 2023/24 season averaged 18,000+ game attendance, 97% arena capacity fill with 873 sellouts. Total attendance 22.5 million. WNBA total attendance for the most recent season, 1.6 million. Broadcast numbers are similarly disproportionate. When the WNBA fan base grows, so will the salaries. May take several more years, but it will get there.

[@rrhotj]

If the wnba fans and many more potential fans begin filling up stadiums because of her and other more potential bankable wnba players, for sure those salary caps and figures would skyrocket. If fans begin buying wnba merchandise, those figures would expand. Equal pay is not an issue here. How much they bring to the table is the issue.

[@wagzel]

Courtside to see Victor is $6,436. Average ticket is $154. Fever courtside $442.

[@VeraxMusic]

This is going to be the first time I'm looking forward to a WNBA season. Also, on a separate note, how come no one can seem to comprehend the simple fact that salary is based on how much the league makes? If you get sellout crowds, everyone makes a good salary. So to point out some wage gap is just pointless. WNBA gets paid less, because they get less revenue, due to less fan interest. It's that simple. There is no, "it's unfair, we should more." Yes, I WISH you could get more, that would be great. But that's based on ticket sales. All that will probably change with this year's draft class. For the first time ever, the players feel important. Feel like superstars. Heroes, villains, underdogs, etc

[@TheOneNeo390]

The women with the pink blouse has good jokes,talking about pay equity when she doesn't know shit about what that really means. She should be embarrassed.

[@ButlerEchandia]

Can you imagine living in LA on that salary??

[@kennethsmith6367]

Millions of people do it every year.

[@johngurganus3348]

The current players should quit and get regular jobs. Get off of NBA welfare.

[@johntruxal432]

Can you imagine the wnba losing money every year it has been playing and living on nba wellfare...and asking for more money....

[@markblain8438]

Caitlyn Clark is not the reason for salaries. It’s the lowest paid players you have to address

[@rumpelstiltskin1655]

All of these people complaining never watched or attended a WNBA game

[@adrianengram3078]

She is the Larry Bird of the WNBA

[@themeparkamusement2214]

Cut the crap with pay equity. You have to earn money to get paid money. NOBODY watches women play until today. Keep getting ratings and the pay will go up. If it was not for the men they would not even have a league to play in. Slow your roll. Show some gratitude that the men were nice enough to give you a league when business wise you did not deserve it.

[@DeRussellMasina]

Wait Cheddar News is back online? Thought it folded 😅

[@PV1230]

guess they found more cheddar

[@JS-gt5bh]

Insurance companies could save us 20 per cent or more if they stopped spending millions on advertising. I am a free market guy but insurance companies should be regulated!😡

[@Orangesunday421]

🐸 Woman should support the WNBA and Aubrey they’re paychecks will be more!

[@arnoldmayii3563]

It’s an unfair comparison between the NBA and WNBA salaries. The NBA makes billions and the WNBA makes something like 200 million.

[@mikailbumpus692]

Hello from Minnesota, Caitlin and All Women Deserve to be making more money than they are being paid. Iam a Man, and I just dont feel things are very fair for womens sports Salaries. Caitlin Clark and others this year brought more attention, Fans, Viewers, Promotion and brought in Trillions of Dollars to The Networks and Programs, and they brought So many more things to the Game of Basketball, both College and Professional. And to see that Women in The WNBA Make mere peanut scraps in comparison to the Men, not to mention, as you said The WNBA Player Rookies Start at around $76,000 vs the $12 Million of an NBA Rookie. Just Sick, Im very Disapointed in the Difference in salaries between Women and Men.

[@francisikwueme1688]

Who cares how you feel it’s simple math . If you are in the red for almost three decades where is the huge jump in salary supposed to come from ? You are just using your feeling like the women . It’s the same way the ladies on the view or networks like NBC make millions from reporting or being a talk show host compared to a local news anchor . The nba makes billions of dollars alone on merchandise which is built into their salaries. All the women that make the same complaint I ask : show me your wnba season pass or cable package? Show me the wnba jerseys, shoes and other merchandise you have purchased? Serena William is almost worth $300m and earned about $100m from her playing alone excluding endorsements. Her sis Venus also has a not to shabby networth of about $100m . Why ? They are captivating enough . You guys are acting like the nba created the wnba just to keep them down they pump millions of dollars into it to keep it going

[@Quicks1lvr]

The way you type screams Chinese or other Asian bot

[@mikailbumpus692]

@@Quicks1lvr. Interesting, Thanks, Well Im 100% American, White male Security Officer. Born in The U.S, and I live in the U.S Have a great day 😊

[@mikailbumpus692]

@@Quicks1lvr Interesting, Well Thanks. Iam a U.S Born white American Male Security Officer and U.S. Resident. Have a great day 🤗

[@MH-il1lk]

2022 NBA Finals 12.4 million 2022 WNBA: 412,000 viewers

[@rsmandskm1]

NCAA women’s finals 16 M.

[@MH-il1lk]

@rsmandskm1 "As of 2024, the highest rated and most-watched game of the Women’s Final Four was Iowa-UConn in the 2024 national semifinal at 14.2 million viewers."

[@user-uf6yb6ez6h]

Even if Caitlin Clark is the best female college basketball player of all time, she is not good enough to rescue the wNBA. Oh, just a little reality check, CC set her records playing against female athletes. As good as CC’s stats indicate that she is,no college in America would recruit her to play in theirs men’s basketball program. But I hope CC sets even more records in milking her 15 minutes of fame for as much money as possible. But CC better do it before the wNBA season begins because she is going to disappear in the crowd of equally talented athletes.

[@EetsBack]

Please don’t get Rapinoe into this conversation. She is reprehensible for just the way she has represented the women’s case and comments on playing for the US. And I’m not even an American, yet I can see that.

[@user-cw4rf6xk1g]

Why are people acting like hay her WNBA money is so low do you realize the money she is going to make off the court like Michael Jordan was not the highest paid in the NBA his money was made off the court Commercials, etc don't worry about her money , because she is going to be making alot of it Endorsement deals she already has coming out of college

[@Drippyadidas]

Even though Caitlin Clark doesn’t know me she wants me to be at her games

[@srabankarjee1034]

If WNBA Players want more money tell women to visit their games then their salary will rise automatically

[@DJSliick]

Damn thats a 9-5 salary

[@bigdizave]

But for only a four month season.

[@RT-xj7el]

Good luck getting the NBA to strike the same ridiculous deal that men's soccer did. If the women want to make the same money as the men, have them try out for an NBA team. If they make there and are still under paid like this, then get back to us.

[@nikolaivista920]

"Caitlin Clark will make a lot more than her WNBA base salary" Yeap. Just like Michael Jordan did from 1984-1993!!! Welcome to the club Caitlin! Make sure you get endorsement payouts via stock options! It will be much more profitable in the future! Just ask Michael Jordan!!

[@jamal9042]

Stop complaining about pay differences, when Women athletes fill the stadiums they will naturally get paid more.

[@CARLOSGONZALEZ-ue8mi]

I dont see any woman buying jerseys , shoes caps from any wnba team. Also those billionaire women around the world why dont they buy wnba teams so they can put up or shut up.

[@JS-gt5bh]

If Clark can do for the WNBA what Bird and Magic did for the NBA then all will be looking good!

[@fredhenry5385]

Why are everybody trying to count this lady's money she's not a champion

[@esrickhamilton8008]

terrible salary they need to pay more

[@arlypaulmigueldamuy5221]

Clark is not a "woke" like Rapinoe.

[@johnamaro7216]

Sell the tickets and you'll get more. Women's soccer should have never received more money. They lost to 15 year old boys.

[@elihubildad6677]

They make plumbers wage .

[@janikhybhober5240]

5'8 nate robinson had more dunks in a 6game span than the whole wnba has in its 28 year history

[@MrSoulauctioneer]

doesn't really take skill to dunk, just a good vertical jump, and/or height.

[@johntruxal432]

@@MrSoulauctioneer yes that's why the wellfare league doesn't do it...

[@80sruler]

This wasn’t very helpful. She’ll make $75k playing and $10 million for being Caitlin Clark - but what about the other players who don’t have the luxury ? How about doubling those playing deals because for most, that’s all they’ll make

[@omegacon4]

Please stop comparing NBA salaries to WNBA salaries. The NBA makes so much more money than the WNBA.

[@hanklohan]

They have to bring her onto Team USA because no one will be watching it if she isn't there.

[@mbrownie22]

Sorry you’re wrong, the USA Women’s Team plays in the Olympics and people do watch, Caitlin will try out just like others if she’s wants too and if she makes the team that would be great. Clark has been invited to train with the team this Spring.

[@hanklohan]

​@@mbrownie22 Oops, you're right. 534 people will watch women's basketball, but if Caitlin players then there will be millions watching.

[@johntruxal432]

Clarks already been invited to tryouts but it was during final 4 in the same mistake by the lake city. Nbc has already demanded to team usa that she will be on the team.

[@jjmanning8621]

Lol, the wwnba ?? What's that ?

[@guledahmed9415]

I play high-school basketball 🏀 man's late 80s

[@bhumphries6332]

First

[@esrickhamilton8008]

Terrible sounds

[@gregj831]

Caitlan Clark is as great of a person as she is a basketball player but she's going to quickly fade into anonymity in the WNBA.

[@michael1257]

And Your Just As Big Of A Loser As The Woke Crowd You Hang With.

[@Paulftate]

👎

[@cliffhubbard6095]

Embarrassing

[@johngurganus3348]

They should get off of NBA welfare and get regular jobs.

[@cliffhubbard6095]

A Joke

[@guledahmed9415]

It's not right man's NBA doing 1.milion but Woman's Wnba 75 thousands Wnba Woman's have to get pay like 5 hundred thousand I'm high school basketball 🏀 player in late 80s and Student basketball 🏀 own NBA needs to pay Woman's Wnba

[@jaquinrice7923]

I completely disagree with everything you just said. Not only did you have poor grammar, but you clearly don't understand how capitalism or supply and demand works. 🤔

[@T_WILL77]

WNBA has never turned a profit in their 27 year history. They lose, on average, $10M a year. The NBA supplements that league to keep it afloat. You cannot pay someone something that you don't have. If it was a stand alone league they would have folded after the first few years. No business can survive without turning a profit. It may be different in the future if they can draw sustained viewership and get people in the arenas. Only then will pay go up. Time will tell

[@T_WILL77]

I see my comment got deleted

[@mexicanoaliendrunk5987]

Transss

[@trhansen3244]

Close down the WNBA. Shut it down forever. Please!

[@rollgali5292]

that's 1.4k per week,,, she can come to my country and live handsomely with that money,,, wait how much do onlyfan creator makes,,,

[@user-ft4dg3hs8s]

I have no idea why people are denigrating her. She’s going to bring eyes to the WNBA which is hurting for viewers..