How much will Caitlin Clark earn with the new WNBA deal? The basketball superstar is about to see get a huge raise

The new WNBA collective bargaining agreement could dramatically change the financial future of the league’s biggest stars, including Caitlin Clark.

While Clark is still playing on a rookie contract, the newly agreed framework between the WNBA and its players is expected to significantly increase salaries across the board, setting the stage for a major payday in the coming years.

What Caitlin Clark makes right now

Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, is currently on a standard rookie-scale contract.

Under the existing WNBA pay structure, her salary is approximately:

• 2024: ~$76,000
• 2025: ~$78,000
• 2026: ~$85,000
• 2027 (team option): ~$97,000

That puts her annual salary well below six figures for most of her rookie deal, a figure that has often been highlighted given her massive popularity and impact on the league.

What the new WNBA deal changes

According to early details from the new CBA framework, there will be a few significant changes.

• Salary cap expected to start at around $7 million per team, up from roughly $1.5 million previously
• Average player salaries projected to reach around $600,000, with minimum salaries exceeding $300,000
• Supermax salaries could rise to approximately $1.4 million
• Players expected to receive nearly 20% of league revenue through the new revenue-sharing model

The agreement is not fully finalized yet, but the structure signals a major shift toward players receiving a larger share of league revenue.

How this impacts Caitlin Clark

Clark will not immediately see a massive jump in salary because she remains under her rookie contract. However, the real impact comes when she becomes eligible for a new contract or extension.

Once that happens, Clark could realistically earn hundreds of thousands per year at minimum. And she could potentially earn over $1 million annually if she reaches supermax-level earnings under the new system

Given her status as the league’s biggest draw, Clark would be a prime candidate to benefit from the new salary structure. Since entering the WNBA, she has driven record TV ratings, boosted attendance league-wide, and become one of the most marketable athletes in basketball

Even under the old system, Clark’s total earnings were significantly boosted by endorsements. But the new CBA could finally allow her on-court salary to better reflect her value to the league.

The bigger picture for the WNBA

For years, top players earned a fraction of their value compared to other professional leagues. The new agreement aims to close that gap by tying salaries more directly to league revenue.

While Clark may need to wait until her rookie deal expires to fully cash in, the new system ensures that when she does, she could be among the highest-paid players in league history.

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