Caitlin Clark vs. Sophie Cunningham WNBA Salary: Which Fever Star is Richer?

There are plenty of similarities between Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham. Both play the guard position and have built their reputations on strong fundamentals and sharp shooting. Clark and Cunningham hail from the Midwest and are fan favorites in their hometowns. They’re two of the most popular players in the league and have huge followings both on and off the court.

But when it comes to their WNBA paychecks, things look pretty different. Cunningham, 28, is in her seventh season in the league. Thanks to the WNBA’s pay scale, she earns much more than Clark, who’s still on her rookie deal. Even though Clark has major global appeal, she’ll make just $78,066 from the Indiana Fever this year. But that number doesn’t tell the whole story.

Caitlin Clark vs. Sophie Cunningham Salary Breakdown

Cunningham entered the WNBA in 2019 and signed a four-year, $189,522 rookie deal with the Phoenix Mercury. She worked her way into a key role, averaging nearly 30 minutes per game in 2022. That led to a two-year, $304,500 contract extension for 2023 and 2024. This year, Cunningham is set to make $100,000, bringing her career WNBA earnings to $637,780 by the end of the 2025 season.

Clark, who went pro in 2024, is just in the second year of her rookie contract. Her four-year deal with the Fever is worth $338,056. She made $76,535 in Year 1 and is set to earn $78,066 this season. At the end of 2025, her total WNBA earnings will be $154,601.

Even though Cunningham has made more in league salary, these numbers don’t include endorsement deals, merchandise sales, or appearance fees.

Clark’s Off-Court Earnings

Clark has become a global superstar over the last year and a half. After her record-shattering college career at Iowa, she entered the WNBA with massive hype—and delivered. She was the first pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and broke several records during her rookie season, including the single-season assists mark.

In December 2024, Time magazine named her the Athlete of the Year, making her the first WNBA player to earn that honor.

Clark’s success on the court has opened the door to huge endorsement deals. The 23-year-old already has major partnerships with Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Lilly, and Xfinity.

Her biggest deal is Nike. In 2024, Clark signed an eight-year, $28 million contract with the brand. A signature shoe is expected soon.

Sports Illustrated says Clark earns around $100,000 for a 30-minute speaking appearance. That’s more than her entire WNBA salary for a season.

Cunningham also has endorsement deals and has worked as a broadcaster and analyst. But it’s safe to say her off-court earnings aren’t close to Clark’s.