Current:Home > FinanceCaitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make? -Streamline Finance
Caitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make?
View
Date:2025-04-11 17:33:00
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! (24)
Related
- Giants, Lions fined $200K for fights in training camp joint practices
- Rudy Giuliani ordered to appear in court after missing deadline to turn over assets
- Taylor Swift watches Chiefs play Monday Night Football after end of US Eras Tour
- Jaw-Dropping Amazon Fashion Deals: 3 Long-Sleeve Shirts for $19, Plus Up to 69% Off Fall Styles
- Illinois governor calls for resignation of sheriff whose deputy fatally shot Black woman in her home
- Toss-up congressional races in liberal California could determine House control
- The Sephora Savings Event Is Finally Open to Everyone: Here Are Products I Only Buy When They’re on Sale
- 4 Democratic US House members face challengers in Massachusetts
- Daughter of Utah death row inmate navigates complicated dance of grief and healing before execution
- Is oat milk good for you? Here's how it compares to regular milk.
Ranking
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- How do I begin supervising former co-workers and friends? Ask HR
- First-term Democrat tries to hold on in Washington state district won by Trump in 2020
- Zooey Deschanel Shares the 1 Gift She'd Give Her Elf Character
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Democrats hope to flip a reliably Republican Louisiana congressional seat with new boundaries
- Republicans hope to retain 3 open Indiana House seats and target another long held by Democrats
- The Nissan Versa is the cheapest new car in America, and it just got more expensive
Recommendation
US auto safety agency seeks information from Tesla on fatal Cybertruck crash and fire in Texas
Man faces fatal kidnapping charges in 2016 disappearance of woman and daughter in Florida
Soccer Player José Hugo de la Cruz Meza Dead at 39 After Being Struck by Lightning During Televised Game
Arizona voters to decide on expanding abortion access months after facing a potential near-total ban
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Sign of the times in front yard political wars: A campaign to make America laugh again
GOP senator from North Dakota faces Democratic challenger making her 2nd US Senate bid
Is oat milk good for you? Here's how it compares to regular milk.