Current:Home > FinanceCaitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make? -FundSphere
Caitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make?
View
Date:2025-04-12 17:12:54
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! (8)
Related
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Calls for Maya Rudolph to reprise her Kamala Harris interpretation on SNL grow on social media
- U.S. Navy pilot becomes first American woman to engage and kill an air-to-air contact
- Local sheriff says shots fired inside an Iowa mall
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Who could Kamala Harris pick as her VP? Here are 10 potential running mates
- For Appalachian Artists, the Landscape Is Much More Than the Sum of Its Natural Resources
- Hailey Bieber shows off baby bump in W Magazine cover, opens up about relationship
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Joe Biden's legacy after historic decision to give up 2024 reelection campaign
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Toronto Film Festival lineup includes movies from Angelina Jolie, Mike Leigh, more
- USA TODAY Sports Network's Big Ten football preseason media poll
- Man convicted of kidnapping Michigan store manager to steal guns gets 15 years in prison
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- TNT sports announces it will match part of new NBA rights deal, keep league on channel
- Delta faces federal investigation as it scraps hundreds of flights for fifth straight day
- Ariana Madix Reveals Every Cosmetic Procedure She's Done to Her Face
Recommendation
Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
See exclusive new images of Art the Clown in gory Christmas horror movie 'Terrifier 3'
How Benny Blanco Celebrated Hottest Chick Selena Gomez on 32nd Birthday
Miss Kansas Alexis Smith Calls Out Her Alleged Abuser Onstage in Viral Video
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
'Bachelorette' star's ex is telling all on TikTok: What happens when your ex is everywhere
Score 75% Off Urban Outfitters, 50% Off Ulta, 65% Off Sur La Table & Today's Best Deals
Jordan Love won't practice at Packers training camp until contract extension is reached