• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 20, 2025

Iowa Star Caitlin Clark Makes It Official: She’s WNBA-Bound

  • The NCAA’s leading women’s basketball scorer announced she has opted to leave college women’s basketball.
  • Despite what some think, Clark will not take a massive pay cut to enter the WNBA.
Caitlin Clark
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, Iowa star Caitlin Clark announced she is declaring for the WNBA draft. The NCAA’s leading women’s basketball scorer made the announcement with a graphic on X (formerly Twitter) and is expected to be the No. 1 pick.

“While this season is far from over, and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa,” Clark wrote Thursday. 

Rumors have swirled all season about whether Clark would exercise her extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but she had given zero hints until now. Just last week, she was asked by a local Indianapolis TV reporter whether she enjoyed the basketball environment in Indiana enough to consider playing for the Fever (who have the first pick in the upcoming WNBA draft).

This year Clark has regularly sold out arenas, been followed by fans spending thousands of dollars to travel to see her play all over the country, and driven record broadcast viewership. 

The next iteration of the “Caitlin Clark effect” will likely emerge over the coming days. She announced her decision just three days before her final home game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which was already slated to have the highest get-in non-general-admission ticket price of any women’s basketball game in history, college or pro. The Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament has already sold out for the first time. Expect secondary ticket sales for both events to continue to skyrocket. The ever-growing women’s March Madness tournament will undoubtedly benefit, too, as Iowa is a shoo-in for a spot in the field of 68.

Fever Frenzy

The WNBA will get a major star who would likely bring the ratings and ticket sales bonanza with her. The Fever have already begun promoting their season-ticket sales on social media.

Clark will undoubtedly earn the maximum WNBA salary: In her first year, that’s $74,000—and can eventually go up to about $250,000. Many have speculated she’ll take a pay cut from what she’s making in college, given that her name, image, and likeness deals with major brands, including Nike and Gatorade, could amount to an estimated $900,000. 

However, it’s likely she will make more money in the WNBA than at Iowa: Her salary will add to the existing sponsorship agreements that were reported to be for multiple years and are relationships that will surely follow her into the pros. She also won’t forgo any potential NIL collective earnings, given that she reportedly doesn’t take work with the school’s main collective.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Florida, Colorado State Firings Push CFB Buyouts Past $100M

Nine FBS head coaches have been fired since the season started.
Kevin Durant

Durant’s $30M Discount Still Makes Him Highest NBA Career Earner

The deal will put Durant at $598 million in career earnings.
@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”

Featured Today

May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”

Beyond Ohio State, It’s Another Massive Shake-Up in the CFB Top 25

Nine of the top 10 teams changed positions in Week 9.
Cignetti
October 17, 2025

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.
October 17, 2025

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”
Tortillas
October 16, 2025

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
October 15, 2025

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”