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Caitlin Clark’s 2024 rookie base salary was $76,535. That was the first-year figure on the WNBA–WNBPA rookie scale for the first four picks in the draft—not a sum she negotiated individually. It is a dated base-salary figure, not her current salary, total compensation, or take-home pay.
Why was Clark’s rookie salary $76,535?
The WNBA and WNBPA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) set a rookie salary schedule for first-round draft picks. Clark, selected No. 1 in 2024, was in the tier shared by the first four picks. The CBA established the scheduled base amount; the figure should not be read as evidence that Clark individually chose or negotiated a low first-year salary. The WNBA describes the CBA as setting employment terms and conditions, including matters such as the salary cap and player benefits, in its FAQ.
The 2020–2027 CBA lists these base-salary steps for picks 1–4:
| Contract year | Season | Scheduled base salary |
|---|---|---|
| First | 2024 | $76,535 |
| Second | 2025 | $78,066 |
| Third | 2026 | $85,873 |
| Fourth-year option | 2027 | $97,582 |
These amounts are the rookie-scale figures in the 2020–2027 CBA. The fourth-year figure is identified as an option salary. CBS News reported that the four scheduled amounts in Clark’s contract added up to roughly $338,000; that sum describes scheduled base salary, not all income she earned or her net pay. CBS News’ report also noted the possibility of performance bonuses.
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- BRAND-NEW, DIRECT FROM PANINI YEAR: 2024
- BRAND: PANINI CARD #: CCROY
- PLAYER: CAITLIN CLARK SPECIAL: ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Rookie Card (RC)
- GRADE: WCG GEM-MINT 10
- SIZE: 2.5" x 3.5" - Normal Trading Card Size
What the salary figure includes—and what it does not
The $76,535 figure is Clark’s scheduled first-year base salary under the 2024 rookie scale. It does not establish the value of bonuses, endorsements, other income, taxes, deductions, or take-home pay. The available reporting confirms that performance bonuses were possible, but does not provide a complete calculation of Clark’s 2024 total income.
That distinction matters when comparing headline salary figures. A scheduled base amount, a possible bonus, total earnings from multiple sources, and money received after taxes and other deductions are different measures. The roughly $338,000 reported across four years is the sum of scheduled base-salary amounts, not a reliable estimate of total income or take-home earnings.
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How the 2026 CBA changes the context
The 2024 number is not a current rookie salary benchmark. After the 2020 CBA remained in effect through the 2025 season, the WNBA Board of Governors ratified terms for a new seven-year agreement running from the 2026 season through 2032; the league and players’ union announced completion and signing of the long-form agreement on May 22, 2026. The timeline is described in the league’s FAQ, ratification announcement, and long-form agreement announcement.
In its March 20, 2026 announcement, the WNBA projected a $500,000 salary for the 2026 No. 1 pick and said existing rookie-scale contracts would be adjusted upward. The same announcement projected a $7.0 million 2026 salary cap, a $583,000 average salary, and a $1.4 million maximum salary. Those amounts are league projections, not independently observed payroll figures. The league has not established in the cited announcement what Clark’s individual adjusted salary is, so it would be inaccurate to assign her a specific post-adjustment figure. See the WNBA and WNBPA announcement.
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- Card is in Certified Mint+ condition or better, sealed in an air-tight customized holder using a sonic welding system
- This amazing card is part of a limited production run
- Sealing protects the card from handling, shaking, water, light, drops and more, essentially locking in the condition forever
- Since we normally have more than one item in stock, our listings use a sample image of an item in the same condition
- Every card is reviewed by the Certified Mint+ team and only the best are encapsulated
How to compare the numbers fairly
Before comparing Clark’s salary with another player’s, check that the figures match on three points:
- Season and CBA: Clark’s $76,535 was a 2024 figure under the 2020–2027 CBA. The 2026 agreement changed salary levels.
- Draft tier: The cited 2024 scale amount applies to picks 1–4. It should not be presented as the salary for every rookie or draft position.
- Compensation type: Confirm whether the number is base salary, a bonus, total income, or take-home pay.
A comparison with NBA salaries would need reliable figures for the same season and a clearly matched definition of salary. The figures here do not establish such a comparison.
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- Official Rookie Card
- Only 115,750 made
- Near Mint condition
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