College basketball sensation Caitlin Clark is gearing up to take the WNBA by storm, but her rookie contract is causing a stir due to the stark difference in pay compared to her male counterparts in the NBA.
Clark, who made history as the NCAA Division I basketball’s overall top scorer, recently signed a contract with the Indiana Fever after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft. However, her four-year deal will only see her earn $338,056, a fraction of what male athletes in the NBA make.
Under the 2024 WNBA rookie scale, Clark will earn a base salary of $76,535 in her first year, with incremental increases in the following years. This pales in comparison to the multi-million dollar contracts that male NBA players receive.
The glaring pay gap has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for more equitable pay for women athletes. Even male athletes like Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson have voiced their support for Clark and her fellow WNBA players.
Despite the salary difference, Clark’s star power and the growing popularity of women’s basketball could signal a shift in the future. With sold-out games and increased viewership, there is hope that the disparity in pay will be addressed to provide fair compensation for women athletes like Caitlin Clark.