Caitlin Clark will make just $76,535 in her first year with the Indiana Fever after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft… $12MILLION less than top men’s rookie Victor Wembanyama

Caitlin Clark will make just $76,535 in her first season in the WNBA as part of her rookie contract with the Indiana Fever.

The 22-year-old sensation was, as expected, taken with the first pick in the WNBA draft in Brooklyn on Monday night.

But the value of her rookie contract is far below the typical NBA deal that male college prospects sign.

Clark will earn $338,056 during his four years at Indiana. She will sign a three-year contract with the option of a fourth year.

In year one, Clark will bring in $76,535. It goes up to $78,066 in year two before increasing further to $85,873 in year three. If the fourth-year option is taken, Clark will then earn $97,582.

Victor Wembanyama – the men’s No. 1 draft pick – earned $12,160,680 in his first NBA season

By comparison, Victor Wembanyama – the men’s No. 1 draft pick – earned $12,160,680 in his first season with the San Antonio Spurs.

Fortunately for Clark, she’s a magnet for commercial opportunities off the court, and her income will get a significant boost from sponsorship deals.

Clark already has deals in place with blue chip companies such as State Farm Insurance, Nike, Gatorade, Buick, Hy-Vee and many others.

Her NIL (name, image and likeness) worth was recently reported to be $3.4 million.

Clark, who wore a white Prada jacket and skirt to the draft, arrives in the WNBA as the most successful college player in history, making her the sport’s new star.

The former Iowa star has become a household name in recent months, and she will now try to revive the Indiana franchise alongside last season’s No. 1 pick, Aliyah Boston, who previously played with Clark on a USA Basketball U-19 -team.

Clark has already signed lucrative deals with companies like State Farm and Gatorade

Clark appeared on Good Morning America Tuesday just hours after the WNBA draft

She continued her media frenzy in New York City this week by stopping by ABC’s Good Morning America on Tuesday and admitting she was ‘anxious’ going into the draft.

Clark said: ‘It feels super special. When you sit at the table and know where I’m going, you still get a little anxious when the commissioner walks out and says your name.

‘It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was in the second grade. Being there at the table with my family was amazing and sharing it with them was super special.’

When asked about the pressure on her over the past month, guiding the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NCAA Championship game and leading up to the draft, she added: ‘Honestly, I feel like it’s just something that comes with it.

‘I don’t feel much of it. It just came with how I handled myself and did my job every single day.

‘That’s what I try to do the most, but at the same time I always remind myself that this is a team sport. I have a lot of people to rely on and outside of basketball I know I can count on my friends and family to be there to support me.

“At times you can definitely feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, but more than anything to me it’s fun, it’s a game, just enjoy it.” Like, how lucky am I?’