Current:Home > FinanceCaitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make? -TrueNorth Finance Path
Caitlin Clark set to make $338K in WNBA. How much do No. 1 picks in other sports make?
View
Date:2025-04-22 21:41:25
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! (57493)
Related
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Edmonton Oilers stretch winning streak to 16 games, one shy of NHL record
- Patrick Mahomes vs. Lamar Jackson with Super Bowl at stake. What else could you ask for?
- Haley faces uphill battle as South Carolina Republicans rally behind Trump
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- This one thing is 'crucial' to win Super Bowl for first time in decades, 49ers say
- Will other states replicate Alabama’s nitrogen execution?
- Biden is trying to balance Gaza protests and free speech rights as demonstrators disrupt his events
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Tea with salt? American scientist's outrageous proposal leaves U.S.-U.K. relations in hot water, embassy says
Ranking
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- A snowboarder spent 15 hours trapped in a ski gondola. She rubbed her hands and feet to keep warm
- Trump's lawyer questioned one of E. Jean Carroll's books during his trial. Copies are now selling for thousands.
- Proof Harry Styles and Rumored Girlfriend Taylor Russell Are Living While They’re Young
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Greyhound stations were once a big part of America. Now, many of them are being shut
- Tuvalu’s prime minister reportedly loses his seat in crucial elections on the Pacific island nation
- German train drivers will end a 6-day strike early and resume talks with the railway operator
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
NFL hires 4 coaches of color in one cycle for first time ever. And 'it's a big deal'
Tesla recalls nearly 200,000 cars over software glitch that prevents rearview camera display
Australian Open men's singles final: How to watch Daniil Medvedev vs. Jannik Sinner
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
The Bachelor’s Joey Graziadei Reveals the Warning He Was Given About Fantasy Suites
U.K. army chief says citizens should be ready to fight in possible land war
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expected to return to Pentagon Monday for first time since hospitalization