Current:Home > InvestCaitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make? -NextFrontier Finance
Caitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make?
View
Date:2025-04-18 14:18:33
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! (298)
Related
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Demi Lovato’s Sister Madison De La Garza Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Ryan Mitchell
- Man arrested after making threats, assaulting women in downtown Louisville, Kentucky
- Swirling federal investigations test New York City mayor’s ability to govern
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- A man went missing in a Washington national park on July 31. He was just found alive.
- All the best movies at Toronto Film Festival, ranked (including 'The Substance')
- Ralph Lauren takes the Hamptons for chic fashion show with Jill Biden, H.E.R., Usher, more
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Why Lady Gaga Hasn't Smoked Weed in Years
Ranking
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- What to watch: Say his name!
- Rob Kardashian Reacts to Daughter Dream Kardashian Joining Instagram
- Dolphins, Jalen Ramsey agree to record three-year, $72.3 million extension
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Man charged with homicide in killing of gymnastics champion Kara Welsh
- Why Dennis Quaid Has No Regrets About His Marriage to Meg Ryan
- Nevada’s only Native American youth shelter gets lifeline as it fights for survival
Recommendation
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
All the best movies at Toronto Film Festival, ranked (including 'The Substance')
Man charged with plotting shooting at a New York Jewish center on anniversary of Oct. 7 Hamas attack
Court puts Ohio House speaker back in control of GOP purse strings
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
Why Dennis Quaid Has No Regrets About His Marriage to Meg Ryan
Cheeseheads in Brazil: Feeling connected to the Packers as Sao Paulo hosts game
A parent's guide to 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice': Is it appropriate for kids?