The minimum salary in the NBA is at least 16 times that of the WNBA! The pay gap is wild considering the emerging popularity of the WNBA in recent years. What is more surprising is that the average pay in the Unrivaled, the new 3×3 women’s basketball league, is almost twice that of the WNBA. And when Caitlin Clark, who single-handedly drove the popularity off the charts in 2024, is at the receiving end of this disparity? To call it wild, then, seems like an understatement.

“I’m not huge on comparing the WNBA to the NBA; I don’t think that’s fair,” Clark said, trying to calm fans down, but well, they remain outraged due to her peanuts’ worth of salary. After all, the paycheck should match her popularity and brand value, right?

How much will Caitlin Clark make per game with the Indiana Fever?

Everyone knows that Caitlin Clark was the No. 1 overall pick and had a 2024 base salary of $76,535 as part of a four-year, $338,056 deal. Now, as dictated by the CBA, she will make $78,066 in her second year of her contract, which will further increase next year. Meanwhile, in the NBA, the No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher signed a $57 million contract with the Hawks. See the difference?

Now, if you want to get a clearer picture, Clark’s salary comes down to $40 per hour, considering a typical 40-hour work week. But you know who is earning more than her? And it’s not like the person is going to earn just a couple more dollars.

What will Golden State Valkyries pay their mascot?

On the other side of the country, the Golden State Valkyries, the newcomers of the league, are hiring a mascot for their home games. Someone who will don the costume and entertain the fans in the stadiums, with hopes of bringing good luck too. Every team in the WNBA has a mascot, but the Valkyries are willing to pay a handsome amount for theirs.

According to the listing, they are prepared to pay the employee an impressive $130–$160/hour. The mascot will earn approximately four times the per-hour wage of Caitlin Clark!

However, this salary still seems small in front of some other mascots’ pay scale. And to be honest, the comparison of this mascot with Clark might crumble under scrutiny. If anything, the only point this reminds us of is that not just NBA players, even NBA mascots earn more than W’s most decorated players.

Why is comparing Caitlin Clark’s salary with the Valkyries’ mascot not apt?

Caitlin Clark is the face of the WNBA. She is on track to become one of the most influential athletes of her time. And she also earns a lot more than her WNBA salary through collaborations, as the league has propelled her brand value. It is very unfair to compare the salaries of both, as the mascot will not get any added benefits because of his job. And to receive love and respect playing the sport that she loves on a full-time basis? That’s everyone’s dream.

Caitlin Clark debuted on Sportico’s list of the world’s highest-paid female athletes, driven by an estimated $11 million in endorsement earnings, including NIL money earned at Iowa in early 2024. She currently holds sponsorship deals with Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Hy-Vee, Xfinity, Gainbridge, Lilly, and Panini. Her earnings are poised to grow, as the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) is negotiating with the WNBA to increase player salaries. Now, do you think the mascot is ever going to get such deals? Then also comes the factor of how there is a difference in work hours, rendering the comparison misleading.

Analyzing the issue, the mascot salary story is less about Clark and more about the WNBA’s economic structure. Clark’s impact has boosted revenue, yet her salary lags. At least in the world we live in, that is not called fair.