Current:Home > reviewsCaitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make? -ApexWealth
Caitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make?
View
Date:2025-04-11 22:22:26
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! (495)
Related
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Remains found in Arizona desert in 1992 identified as missing girl; police investigate possible link to serial killer
- A man is charged with threatening a Palestinian rights group as tensions rise from Israel-Hamas war
- Zach Wilson benched in favor of Tim Boyle, creating murky future with Jets
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- A slice of television history: Why 100 million viewers tuned in to watch a TV movie in 1983
- South Korea’s president to talk trade, technology and defense on state visit to the UK
- 'Napoleon' movie review: Joaquin Phoenix leads the charge in Ridley Scott's erratic epic
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- 4-year-old girl in Texas shot by grandpa accidentally in stable condition: Authorities
Ranking
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Steven Van Zandt remembers 'Sopranos' boss James Gandolfini, talks Bruce Springsteen
- Colman Domingo’s time is now
- Key L.A. freeway hit by arson fire reopens weeks earlier than expected
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Taylor Swift fan dies at Rio concert amid complaints about excessive heat
- The messy human drama behind OpenAI
- After trying to buck trend, newspaper founded with Ralph Nader’s succumbs to financial woes
Recommendation
Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
CEO of Fortnite game maker casts Google as a ‘crooked’ bully in testimony during Android app trial
Shapiro says unfinished business includes vouchers, more school funding and higher minimum wage
When and where to watch the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, plus who's performing
Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
A Minnesota woman came home to 133 Target packages sent to her by mistake
When and where to watch the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, plus who's performing
Zach Edey, Braden Smith lead Purdue men's basketball to Maui Invitational win over Gonzaga