Caitlin Clark joined the college basketball sphere at the perfect time.
She debuted for the Iowa Hawkeyes as the No. 4 recruit from her high school class and immediately became a star. Lucky for her, she did this just as the NIL rules changed, allowing student-athletes to earn money from their name, image and likeness.
Fast forward to her senior season, and Clark is the top women’s basketball earner and fourth highest earner among all amateur athletes, according to On3. She’s maximized her potential on the court and has greatly benefitted off the court because of it.
Clark’s collegiate career is coming to an end, and she’ll enter the 2024 WNBA Draft. All the NIL deals that she’s garnered over the past few seasons won’t just disappear, though.
By making the leap to the WNBA, Clark will only increase her paycheck through a salary, all while raking in endorsements.
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Why Caitlin Clark won’t lose her NIL deals
When the NCAA approved NIL rules in favor of amateur athletes, Clark was one of many student-athletes to successfully take advantage.
Between her on-court ability and the growth of women’s basketball each year, Clark was the target for multiple top-named brands.
Gatorade, State Farm and Nike were some of the companies that featured Clark in commercials and advertisements. they helped Clark build up a $ 3.1 million NIL valuation, according to On3.
MORE: Caitlin Clark NIL deals, explained
Since Clark is still a college athlete, these deals fall under the NIL rules for amateur athletes. When Clark makes the leap to the WNBA, they’ll just be considered endorsements.
The deals Clark signed aren’t NIL specific, so she’ll retain them after Iowa ends its season. She is the most popular women’s basketball player at the moment, and that will likely remain when she makes her WNBA debut in a few months.
The jersey Clark dons is irrelevant toward her endorsement deals, so expect her to keep appearing in popular commercials after her NCAA career concludes.
Caitlin Clark WNBA salary
Clark is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. There’s no indication that the Indiana Fever would select someone else.
When Clark announced her decision to forego her fifth season at Iowa, the Fever sent off a flurry of social media posts. They didn’t name Clark, but they reminded people that they own the top selection in the draft.
No. 1 ⏳
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) February 29, 2024
Sure, there’s still a possibility that the Fever pass on Clark at No. 1. No matter, the top four picks of the 2024 WNBA Draft will have the same salary. She’d have to slip to earn a cheaper deal.
MORE: Caitlin Clark draft projection, roster, salary
The WNBA rookie deal is a four-year contract with a team option on the final year. Clark would make $ 76,535 in year one, assuming she’s a top-four draft pick. She’d make $ 338,056 across four seasons, per Spotrac.
That is just the base salary, which doesn’t include any potential bonuses a player and team can agree on. It is just a portion of the income a WNBA player can make.
Clark will add that yearly salary to an already impressive resume of endorsement deals. She can continue to sign more deals if companies decide they want to work with her.
