Why Caitlin Clark's WNBA Salary Is Stirring Up Outrage

Caitlin Clark talks to the media during the 2024 WNBA Draft on April 14, 2024 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York.

Caitlin Clark was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick during the WNBA draft on Monday, April 15 after displaying her level of talent over the span of her stellar collegiate athletic career—but from the looks of it, her paycheck in the professional league won't at all reflect her major accomplishments.

The University of Iowa star is going to the Indiana Fever after smashing records—both on the court and for women's sports TV ratings—during her senior year season, officially taking her talents to the pros following graduation.

And while sports fans are rejoicing over the due attention women's sports is receiving as a result of this year's roster of players, they are, however, highly displeased with the terms of Clark's contract—specifically, her estimated salary.

Related: Kansas City Chiefs Show Support for Iowa Basketball Star Caitlin Clark, a Huge Chiefs Fan

Several basketball lovers (including those newly-introduced to the sport), are outraged at how in 2024, the standout player's pay scale can fall so far behind that of her male counterparts who play, or are being drafted into, the NBA, after it was revealed she will make just $76,535 in her rookie season this summer.

According to Spotrac, a site that tracks player contracts across multiple sports, Clark is expected to sign a four-year, $338,000 deal with the Fever as part of the WNBA's rookie wage scale.

This is a stark comparison to the No. 1 overall pick in last year's NBA draft, San Antonio Spurs rookie star Victor Wembanyama, who signed on for a four-year, $55 million contract in which he earned $12.1 million in his first season, per the tracking site.

Fans took to social media to air their grievances with the disparaging pay difference.

"These ladies deserve so much more…Praying for the day," Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Greatest player in college basketball history just got an entry level project manager salary," one social media user noticed.

"This is bogus they have made more headlines than any man that is currently playing. Pay women what they deserve in sports," another adamantly campaigned.

Someone else positively theorized, "GONNA MAKE BANK ON ENDORSEMENTS THO."

On the other hand, an additional X user made the case that, "Salaries in professional sports have a direct correlation with ratings and popularity. Those are just facts."

The sports fanbase of women has been exponentially boosted over the past year, and the renaissance of women's basketball only amplifies that.

So hopefully, with this newfound audience and group of sports aficionados emerging, positive changes go into effect sooner rather than later.

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