Caitlin Clark, who broke NCAA career points records across both men’s and women’s basketball this year, was the No.1 pick at Monday night’s 2024 WNBA draft. But all the internet can talk about is how, even as the No. 1 pick, she’ll make less than 1% of what the average NBA player makes every year.
Clark, who was picked by the Indiana Fever, will make an estimated base salary of $76,535 in her first year in the WNBA. For comparison, Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, made $10,132,300 in his first year. To put it in a different perspective, Clark will make $338,000 on a four-year rookie deal, while Wembanyma makes $55 million for his rookie deal.
In women’s basketball, salaries are negotiated by the WNBA players’ union. Lower-level draft picks typically make an estimated $64,154 as a base salary, and salaries are much higher for non-rookie players. Still, while the highest-paid WNBA players make over $200,000 in base salary, that’s still a fraction of the average NBA player. The lowest salary for NBA players is $1.1 million, while Las Vegas Aces’ Jackie Young, the highest-paid WNBA player, only makes $252,450.
Clark’s fans were quick to point out the shocking salary online.
These ladies deserve so much more…
Praying for the day 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 l https://t.co/mIZmaXwPVi— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) April 16, 2024
Aint no reason i should have a higher salary than Caitlin Clark man 😭 pic.twitter.com/zufPliCeVE
— Aokiji クザン 🇵🇸 (@DukeOfZamunda) April 16, 2024
Caitlin Clark about to get PAID!
(like an accounting major who graduated with straight Bs from Lehigh working a job for a mid sized company in Cincinnati) pic.twitter.com/1gruqQob2x
— Nick Huber (@sweatystartup) April 16, 2024
On this salary Caitlin Clark would qualify for low income housing in San Francisco https://t.co/ZbOkPp4xBc
— Liam Dillon (@dillonliam) April 16, 2024
Many fans also pointed out that this is an example of the gender pay gap in the U.S.
“The gender pay gap is particularly acute in this example and is disheartening to see given the record number of viewers who tuned in to the women’s NCAA tournament,” Alison Stevens, senior director of HR Services at Paychex, told Newsweek. “Players like Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, Cameron Brink and Angel Reese may be the tip of the spear to drive more dollars to the WNBA, as they have all inspired young girls across the country and will certainly draw crowds to the WNBA.”
