Caitlin Clark rookie contract: NBA mascots make more than rising star / News - Basketnews.com

Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky makes $625,000 annually, while Caitlin Clark's entire WNBA four-year rookie contract is worth $338,056.

Credit: AP, Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit AP, Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

Caitlin Clark is considered a generational talent and a new women's basketball ambassador, but her WNBA rookie deal sheds light on the stark contrast in salaries between men's and women's sports.

Caitlin Clark

Position:PG, SGAge:22Height:183 cmWeight:70 kgBirth place:Des Moines, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Under her contract, Clark will earn a base salary of $76,535 this year, with the total four-year deal amounting to $338,056.

These figures represent the maximum allowed for rookies, as defined in the current collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and its players association, extending through the 2027 season, with a potential opt-out following the 2025 season.

Caitlin Clark's four-year rookie contract:

2024: $76,535 2025: $78,066 2026: $85,873 2027: $97,582 (option)

To put this into perspective, consider that as of 2023, certain NBA mascots earn more annually than Clark's entire contract.

For instance, the Denver Nuggets mascot, Rocky, boasts a $625,000 annual salary, while Atlanta Hawks' Harry the Hawk brings in $600,000 yearly. Even the Chicago Bulls' Benny the Bull, with an annual salary of $400,000, surpasses Clark's contract.

On average, NBA mascots earn $60,000 per year.

Although Clark's WNBA contract may raise eyebrows, it's worth noting that her financial stability is not solely reliant on it. She reportedly earns around $3 million annually from endorsement deals.

In contrast, Victor Wembanyama, similarly hailed as a generational talent, secured a four-year rookie contract worth $55.2 million when the San Antonio Spurs selected him No. 1 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Clark, the record-breaking NCAA and Iowa standout, was selected as the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever.

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