Caitlin Clark signed a four year rookie contract worth about $338,056 after Indiana took her first overall in 2024. The new collective bargaining agreement changed that math. Her 2026 base salary is $528,846.
| Season | Salary | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $76,535 | Rookie scale |
| 2025 | $78,066 | Rookie scale |
| 2026 | $528,846 | Restructured under the new CBA, was set at $85,873 |
| 2027 | Was $97,582 | Final year, new figure not confirmed |
What the New CBA Did
The WNBA and the players association agreed to new terms that raised pay across the league. Clark’s 2026 number went from a scheduled $85,873 to $528,846, a raise of more than 500 percent on her 2025 salary. The league minimum in 2026 is $270,000, which is more than triple what she earned in either of her first two seasons.
She is still not the highest paid player in the league. A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell and Napheesa Collier each carry a 2026 base salary of $1.4 million.
Why She Was Underpaid to Begin With
It was not a snub. It was the rookie pay scale, which set salaries by draft slot and applied to every first and second year player regardless of what they drew at the gate. Clark happened to be the player who made that structure look absurd, because in 2025 her WNBA salary and winnings came to roughly $114,000 while her endorsement income was around $16 million.
What Comes Next
Her rookie deal runs through 2027. Exactly how the new agreement applies to the final year of existing rookie contracts is still being worked out in public reporting, so treat any 2027 figure as provisional rather than settled.
Where the Money Actually Comes From
Her eight year Nike contract, reported in April 2024, is valued at $28 million and averages about $3.5 million a year, roughly seven times her 2026 salary. The full picture is on our net worth and endorsements page.
Related
Net worth and endorsements · Caitlin Clark bio · WNBA stats by season · Fever schedule
The Bottom Line
A $338,056 rookie deal became a $528,846 salary in 2026 when the new CBA landed. It is still a fraction of what she earns off the court.