The 2024 WNBA class of rookies has been considered one for the books and not just for the talent. From the implementation of charter flights to the highest viewership record in the league’s history and increased opportunities in brand deals, there has been a visible shift in the response for the sport. At the center of this are Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink among many others.

With the newly drafted rookies, the league is expected to earn lucrative money through their fandom. The effect has already translated into more sales tickets as the New York Liberty recorded sales of around $2 million in revenue. With that, the focus lies on what the number 1 and number 2 overall drafts make in reciprocation.

How does Cameron Brink’s salary compare to that of Caitlin Clark?

Clark has a fandom of her own. It was due to her that the NCAA recorded an average of 18.7 million viewers in the 2023 Finale. She brings with herself new viewership aspirations and money-minting avenues for the WNBA. But fans would be surprised to know that Clark earns equal to what Brink does.

Clark was drafted as the number one pick by the Indiana Fever. As per Spotrac, Clark signed a 4-year deal with the Fever of $338,056 contract. She has an average annual salary of $84,514 and a cap hit of $76,535 that extends to $97,582 by the time she reaches her fourth year with the Fever in 2027.

Similar is the case for Brink. She was drafted as the second overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks. She has an annual average salary of $84,514. She has a cap hit of $76,535 this year and by her last, will have the same cap hit as that of Clark’s in 2027. Therefore, both the contracts are similar in their monetary offerings and term too. But is it justified?

Is Cameron Brink’s salary a bias against Caitlin Clark?

The WNBA contracts are negotiated between the WNBA and the WNBPA as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The contracts are operated as per a slab. For example, the first 4 WNBA drafted rookies get the same amount of money. The case is the same for 5th to 8th pick.

The next slab operates from 9th to 12th, and after that the slabs increase. Therefore the next division partakes 13th to 24th drafted rookie and the subsequent division takes place from 25th to 36th. The salary too goes on decreasing from slab 1 to the next. Therefore, for all the rookies in a particular slab, the salaries are the same and are expected to rise too by the same amount each year.

With the equal rise in salaries, the four-year contract will therefore end on a high. Meanwhile, Clark and Brink are adjusting to the WNBA and it’s not far when they start replicating their NCAA’s exceptional performances in the cash-rich league.