Caitlin Clark's WNBA Salary Sparks Outrage
NCAA Star's Earnings Disappoint Fans
Indiana Fever Rookie to Receive $76,535 in First Year
Caitlin Clark, who became the leading scorer in NCAA basketball history and the first pick in the WNBA draft this week, will make a mere $76,535 in her first year with the Indiana Fever. The salary, which will increase to $97,582 by her fourth season, has generated an outcry from fans who believe the star player deserves more.
Clark's salary is a far cry from the average salary in the NBA for the 2023-24 season, which is $9.7 million. Even the league minimum in the NBA is a pricey $1.1 million, roughly 15 times more than Clark's first-year WNBA salary.
The disparity in salaries between the NBA and WNBA has been a source of frustration for female athletes for years. In 2022, the average salary in the WNBA was just $120,000, while the average salary in the NBA was $8.3 million.
Clark's salary is also lower than that of other top picks in the WNBA draft. Aaliyah Boston, the second overall pick in the 2023 draft, will make $83,000 in her first year with the Las Vegas Aces.
Fans have taken to social media to express their outrage over Clark's salary. Many are calling for the WNBA to increase its salaries and close the pay gap with the NBA.
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