Clark, No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, will earn a total of $338,056 over his first four years in the WNBA.
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Caitlin Clark at the Empire State Building on April 15, 2024 in New York City.
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Caitlin Clark will earn $338,056 in her first four years in the WNBA
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Her salary sparked discussion about the disparity between NBA and WNBA players
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Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson said after Clark's salary was revealed: “These girls deserve better.”
As the women's league gains attention due to the success of stars in this year's WNBA draft class, fans and celebrities are shocked by the disparity in salaries compared to the NBA. Comments follow no. First overall pick Caitlin Clark's salary has been revealed online.
According to SpotracClark, a 22-year-old player who was drafted No. 1 by the Indiana Fever on April 15, will earn $76,535 in his first year, $78,066 in his second year, $85,873 in 2026 and $97,582 in 2027. It is reported that he will earn . He earned $338,056 in his first four years in the league.
By comparison, Victor Wembaneyama, the No. 1 overall pick in last year's NBA Draft, will earn $55.7 million over his first four years, Forbes reported. According to ESPN, the NBA's smallest player contract this season is Javon Freeman Liberty of the Toronto Raptors, who will make $289,542 this season.
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Caitlin Clark smiles during the 2024 WNBA Draft
Related article: Caitlin Clark selected first overall by Indiana Fever in 2024 WNBA Draft
Sportrac's post on X (formerly Twitter) received a lot of attention, with one user commenting: “They have to pay more…ridiculous.”
NFL star Russell Wilson also responded to Clark's paycheck in a post for X, saying, “These women deserve so much more…I'm praying for that day.” I have written.
Meanwhile, Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis posted the originally shared graphic on Instagram. today, He explained why “some fans are furious” over Clarke's salary. Curtis, 65, shared his feelings, writing: “This is outrageous.”
meanwhile todayOn Tuesday morning's broadcast of “The Face of Women's Basketball,'' co-anchor Hoda Kotb said, “The current face of women's basketball is making $76,000 in her first year, $78,000 in her second year, 3… When I saw the figure of $85,000 for the year, it seemed a little ridiculous.”
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The disparity in salaries between the men's and women's leagues has long been an issue for WNBA fans, but it's not for a lack of effort on the part of the women's league. Just before the 2023 WNBA season began, commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke to PEOPLE about the changes she wants to see happen in the coming years. First on the list is sending teams on charter flights and increasing player salaries.
However, it is important to note that Engelbert's league is 60 years younger than the NBA, has only 12 teams compared to the NBA's 30, and can only accommodate a total of 144 players.
Engelber told PEOPLE that fans and players have complained about things like commercial travel and a lack of roster spots that force top draft picks out of the league. Ask,” he said. He added: “Expanding the number of teams will help. We're not shy about talking about expansion.”
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Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever's No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
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“We need to build an economic model that allows us to fund everything they want. We need to build an economic model that allows us to fund everything they want. We need to make sure our players understand where our revenue comes from, where all our expenses go, and the questions around that. That is important,” the commissioner continued.
“We are a sports, media and entertainment asset, a growth asset, and we are deploying this capital and marketing stars to build rivalries and change the narrative of globalizing the game,” she said. said.
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Angel Reese poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected seventh overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15, 2024 in New York City.
And with Clark's star power and the addition of big-name players like Angel Reese and Camila Cardoso to the league, the WNBA is certainly on the right track to accommodate higher player salaries.
Not only did the Fever admit to ESPN that ticket sales have “spiked” since Clark announced his draft pick, but the WNBA also announced that teams will play 36 of their 40 games in front of a television audience next season. announced that he would be playing. Last season, only one fever game was televised.
The WNBA back-to-back champion Las Vegas Aces will play their preseason game against the Fever from the Michelob Ultra's 12,000-seat capacity to accommodate the additional 8,000 fans looking to see Clark in person, according to CBS. News that it will be moved to T-Mobile Arena.
Clark will play his first game on May 3rd in a preseason game against the Dallas Wings.
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