After an outstanding year in which she became one of the most followed athletes in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark has now joined the elite ranks of the highest-paid female athletes. She is the only basketball player on the list, published by Sportico, which is led by tennis star Coco Gauff.
Clark’s total earnings of the year are reported at $11.1 million, placing her just behind No. 9, Simone Biles, who also earned $11.1 million. Gauff, who tops the list for the second consecutive year, earned $30.4 million, including endorsements.
While Clark’s WNBA salary is $76,535, her reported earnings on the list are listed as $100,000. The additional $23,465 is attributed to bonus payments, according to Sportico, in addition to her base rookie salary.
Clark’s significant earnings also stem from several NIL deals she secured during her college career, including partnerships with Gatorade, State Farm, and Panini. Her largest deal to date is an eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike.
Highest-paid female athletes of 2024 via @Sportico ▪️ Top 15 earned $221M, up 27% ▪️ Coco Gauff the 3rd woman to crack $30M after Serena, Osaka ▪️ Top 15 includes 9 tennis players ▪️ Newcomers in top 10: Caitlin Clark, Zheng Qinwen Full breakdown: wp.me/pc2RuA-1lzaOl
Clark recently turned down an offer to play in Unrivaled, a new 3v3 league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, which reportedly offered her $1 million to join its inaugural season set to begin in January in Miami.
see also
Caitlin Clark’s Net Worth: How Much Will the Iowa Star Make in The WNBA?
WNBA players push for higher salaries
The upcoming CBA negotiations between the WNBA and its players are set to be critical for the league’s future. With the current agreement expiring after the 2024 season, players are advocating for higher pay, better benefits, and improved travel conditions.
On the WNBA’s side, balancing these demands with financial sustainability will be a key challenge. Despite rising revenues, concerns about the league’s long-term profitability persist. Major points of discussion are expected to include salary caps, revenue sharing, and player contracts.
Tennis players dominate the list
Unsurprisingly, seven of the ten highest-paid female athletes are tennis players. In addition to Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Zheng Qinwen, Aryna Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka, and Emma Raducanu occupy the third to seventh spots, respectively. Meanwhile, freestyle skier Eileen Gu and golfer Nelly Korda are the only non-tennis players on the list, joining Simone Biles and Caitlin Clark.
