Caitlin Clark debuts on list of world’s highest-paid women athletes — here’s how she got there

Superstardom has proven to be pretty lucrative for Caitlin Clark. 

Sportico reported that Clark was one of the world’s highest-paid female athletes (ranked No. 10), taking in $11.1 million in 2024.

Most of these earnings — $11 million to be exact — stemmed from NIL money while she was at Iowa and brand deals that started in college and followed her into the pros. 

Nike, Gatorade, State Farm and Panini have continued their relationships with the Indiana Fever superstar since she was drafted No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft earlier this year. 

“Nike is Clark’s most valuable endorsement deal. In April, the Swoosh signed the future WNBA Rookie of the Year to an eight-year agreement worth more than $3 million a year on average. Other brand partners include Wilson, Hy Vee, Xfinity, Gainbridge and Lilly,” Sportico wrote. 

Of note, nearly all of Clark’s earnings come from deals off the court and not from her WNBA salary. 

Clark, who has become the biggest name in women’s basketball, can earn roughly $100,000 per year from her WNBA contract if she cashes in her bonuses.

Her base salary in 2024 was $76,535.

It’s far from a unique situation in women’s sports as American gymnastics icon Simone Biles also earns 99 percent of her money away from the mat, Sportico reported. 

Clark had an opportunity to add to her bottom line this winter with a $1 million offer to join Unrivaled Basketball, a new 3-on-3 women’s league that will premier in January, before declining.

Clark helped the Fever reach the WNBA playoffs, averaging 19.2 points per game while setting a number of franchise and WNBA records. 

The hooper was spotted in Indianapolis with legendary comic David Letterman earlier this week while they were filming a scene for his Netflix show “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman,” FOX59/CBS4 reported.

Coco Gauff came in at No. 1 on the list by making $30.4 million, $21 million of which came from endorsements.