The No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, Caitlin Clark will reportedly earn just over $75,000 for her first year's salary and around $338,000 over the life of her four-year contract.
To put that in some context, the Prada outfit that she wore to the WNBA draft cost nearly 25% of that yearly salary, Business Insider noted.
Clark is expected to earn much more than her salary in endorsement deals but the small base salaries for players in the league are drawing note from many people, including professional athletes in other sports who have huge salaries.
NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, who will make an estimated $40 million next season tweeted: "These ladies deserve so much more... Praying for the day."
These ladies deserve so much more…
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) April 16, 2024
Praying for the day 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 l https://t.co/mIZmaXwPVi
Even President Biden weighed in.
"Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all," Biden wrote on X. "But right now we're seeing that even if you're the best, women are not paid their fair share."
Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 16, 2024
But right now we're seeing that even if you're the best, women are not paid their fair share.
It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.
Another person tweeted: "Aint no reason i should have a higher salary than Caitlin Clark man."
And someone else said, "To everyone trashing Caitlin Clark's salary, I agree and want better for them."
But they added, "Go to games. Watch games when they're on TV. Buy merchandise. Stop trashing their game & definitely don't take a pillow and blanket to troll on the sideline."
The WNBA makes about $60 million a year from its media rights deal, Front Office Sports reports. The NBA makes $2.7 billion a year on its deal.
