Caitlin Clark’s 2025 season on the court was disappointing due to injuries that allowed her to play in only 30% of Indiana Fever games. Off the court, however, she had a standout year financially, earning an estimated $16.1 million a new WNBA record, thanks mostly to a large endorsement portfolio.
She made $16 million from sponsorships and $114,000 from her WNBA salary and bonuses, meaning 99.3% of her income came from endorsements. Clark ranked No. 6 among Sportico’s highest-paid female athletes in 2025, moving up four places from her 2024 debut at $11.1 million.
This was her first full year under major endorsement deals signed after being drafted No. 1 in 2024. She also added new partners such as Ascension St. Vincent and Stanley, joining existing sponsors like Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Panini America, Hy-Vee, Xfinity, Gainbridge, and Lilly. In August, Nike named her its newest signature athlete, unveiling a new logo, apparel line, and a signature shoe coming in 2026. She was the only WNBA player in the earnings top 15, with Sabrina Ionescu narrowly missing the cutoff.
The WNBA is currently negotiating a new CBA, with both sides expecting significant salary increases as league revenues and franchise values surge. Clark’s modest Fever salary became a talking point after her rookie year, especially as she helped set viewership and revenue records. Her rookie base pay was $76,535, rising to $78,066 in 2025 under her four-year, $338,056 contract.
Bonuses boosted her 2025 on-court earnings past $100,000. Although sidelined, she received a $30,000 bonus when the Fever won the Commissioner’s Cup. She also earned $3,435 for the team’s semifinal playoff run and $2,575 for being selected to the All-Star Game.
The league offers various other financial incentives, including marketing bonuses. A Player Marketing Agreement (PMA) can pay up to $250,000 annually, although top stars sometimes decline due to their own endorsement commitments. Teams can also spend up to $150,000 on Team Marketing Agreements (TMAs), but it’s unclear whether Clark received any of the Fever’s allotment.
Clark’s income structure reflects a broader trend among elite women athletes, many of whom earn most of their money from endorsements. The top 15 earned about $249 million combined in 2025, with only 30% coming from salaries and prize money. Simone Biles made all her $11 million off the mat, Eileen Gu earned just 0.1% of her $22 million from competition, and Venus Williams earned 2.1% of her $10.2 million on court.
Be the first to comment