Current:Home > NewsCaitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make? -EquityZone
Caitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make?
View
Date:2025-04-24 14:55:12
A lot of eyes will be on Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark this season as she makes her professional debut in the WNBA next month.
In the meantime, other aspects of Clark's life have been picked apart, mainly how much money she will make on and off the court as the No. 1 overall selection in the WNBA draft.
While her endorsements, such as Nike, State Farm, Gatorade, Xfinity, and Panini, will net her millions of dollars, her WNBA salary will be a fraction of that because of the terms set in the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement. Clark will be making a total of $338,056 in her first four years in the league, which includes a fourth-year option.
Here is how much compensation other No. 1 overall picks in other sports earned during their rookie campaign:
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Wembanyama signed a four-year, $55.17 million deal after being taken No. 1 overall in the 2023 NBA draft. Wembanyama made $12.2 million during his rookie season and is the odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year after averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers took Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, as the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He signed a four-year deal worth $38 million and got $24.6 million immediately after he signed his contract. Young had a rough rookie season, going 2–14 as a starter and throwing for 2,877 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Jackson Holliday, Baltimore Orioles
Because 2023 No. 1 pick Paul Skenes has not made his debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Holliday will be the focus here, as the 2022's top selection was recently called up by the Orioles. He signed a $8.19 million signing bonus after he was drafted and will make $740,000 as a rookie this season. Holliday went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in his MLB debut on April 10 and has one hit in his first 25 at-bats.
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL draft signed a three-year, $13.35 million deal with the Blackhawks and made $855,000 in base salary his rookie season. The 18-year-old Bedard had 22 goals and 39 assists this season for Chicago.
Ally Sentnor, Utah Royals
While the National Women's Soccer League increased its salary cap to $2.75 million in 2024, some of the top players are starting to receive a share of the pie.
Racheal Kundananji signed with Bay FC on a four-year, $2 million contract extension, while the Chicago Red Stars reportedly signed striker Mallory Swanson to a four-year, $2 million contract with a fifth-year option, and Houston Dash signed forward María Sánchez to a three-year, $1.5 million contract with an option for 2027.
Sentnor, the No. 1 pick by the Royals, signed a three-year deal with the team, and financial terms were not disclosed.
Taylor Heise, PWHL Minnesota
The Minnesota franchise selected Heise as its No. 1 pick in the Professional Women's Hockey League.
Her salary was not disclosed, but according to the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, three players on each team's roster must make at least $80,000 a year, and the bottom nine players must make at least $35,000. The compensation also features a monthly $1,500 housing stipend and money for relocation costs.
veryGood! (49954)
Related
- 'Most Whopper
- Member of ‘Tennessee Three’ hopes to survive state Democratic primary for Senate seat
- Weak infrastructure, distrust make communication during natural disasters hard on rural Texas
- Prince William and Prince Harry’s uncle Lord Robert Fellowes dies at 82
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- 2024 Olympics: Tennis' Danielle Collins Has Tense Interaction With Iga Swiatek After Retiring From Match
- Scholarships help Lahaina graduates afford to attend college outside Hawaii a year after wildfire
- 1 dead as Colorado wildfire spreads; California Park Fire raging
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Olympian Mary Lou Retton's Daughter Skyla Welcomes First Baby
Ranking
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Donald Trump falsely suggests Kamala Harris misled voters about her race
- Texas radio host’s lover sentenced to life for role in bilking listeners of millions
- 2024 Olympics: British Swimmer Luke Greenbank Disqualified for Breaking Surprising Rule
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Olympics 2024: Simone Biles Reveals She’s Been Blocked by Former Teammate MyKayla Skinner
- Jets’ McCutcheon has made mental health awareness his mission since best friend’s death in 8th grade
- 2024 Olympics: Simone Biles Has the Perfect Response to Criticism Over Her Hair
Recommendation
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
Exonerated murder suspect Christopher Dunn freed after 30 years, Missouri court delay
BBC Journalist’s Daughter Killed in Crossbow Attack Texted for Help in Last Moments
Colombian President Petro calls on Venezuela’s Maduro to release detailed vote counts from election
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
Texas radio host’s lover sentenced to life for role in bilking listeners of millions
Proposal to block casino plans OK’d for Arkansas ballot; medical marijuana backers given more time
Video tutorial: How to use Apple Maps, Google Maps to help you find a good dinner spot