Caitlin Clark’s contract with the Indiana Fever guarantees her $338,056 across four years, a sharp contrast to the $55 million four-year deal secured by last year’s top NBA draft pick. Despite being the top pick in one of the most anticipated WNBA drafts, Clark’s salary has drawn criticism due to the significant difference compared to NBA players.

Clark, a celebrated figure from the University of Iowa, holds the title of the NCAA’s top scorer and has notably boosted viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales during her collegiate games. According to the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Clark’s earnings are set at $338,056 (£271,141) over four years.

As per the 2024 WNBA rookie scale, Clark will start with a base salary of $76,535 (£61,384) for her first year, with incremental increases annually and an option for $97,582 (£78,253) in her fourth year. Other top WNBA draft picks like Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso, and Rickea Jackson will also earn the same as Clark.

On the other hand, male NBA players like Victor Wembanyama, who was last year’s top pick, command much higher salaries. Wembanyama’s $55 million contract, with an initial season payout of $12.1 million (£9.7 million), dwarfs Clark’s earnings, with her salary amounting to just 0.6% of his. While Clark may secure lucrative endorsement deals outside of basketball, her comparatively low wage has sparked widespread debate on social media.

Victor Wembanyama

After the draft, Joe Biden posted on X commenting on the overall state of salaries in women’s sports saying they were “not paid their fair share“.

The US president said: “Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all. It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.”

Meanwhile, NFL quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Russell Wilson, said: “These ladies deserve so much more.”

The NBA generates much larger revenue ($10bn yearly) compared to the WNBA, which is projected to bring in an estimated $200m, according to Just Women’s Sports.