Caitlin Clark Makes WNBA History Again—and a Payday to Match

Caitlin Clark’s historic rookie WNBA season is over, but she keeps setting records—and getting paid.

The 2024 Rookie of the Year was named to the All-WNBA First Team, the first rookie since Candace Parker in 2008—who was also the league MVP that year—to make the squad. Clark received 52 votes for the first team and 14 votes for the second team for a total of 302 points, fourth most behind A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart, and ahead of Alyssa Thomas.

Clark was also the only guard to make the squad, as voting for All-WNBA teams is positionless.

The second team consisted of Sabrina Ionescu, Kahleah Copper, Nneka Ogwumike, Arike Ogunbowale, and Jonquel Jones. 

Members of the first team receive $10,300, while the second team receives $5,150 each. It’s a small prize relative to the millions of dollars in incentives tied to awards within some NBA contracts—but it is in line with the often-criticized salaries across the WNBA.

Clark, the first pick in the 2024 draft, is making under $80,000 this season, while Wilson, a three-time MVP, has a salary of $200,000 per year.

WNBA players are expected to opt out of the current CBA before the Nov. 1 deadline. Even if the players opt out, the CBA will be in effect until at least next season. An opt-out would open the door to a more favorable salary structure and increased incentives for awards starting in 2026, the same year the new $2.2 billion media-rights deal kicks in.