Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark are two of the biggest names in women’s basketball right now — and both are earning serious money off the court. From high-paying endorsement deals to WNBA contracts and even business investments, their net worths are climbing higher and higher in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
But one of them is clearly ahead in terms of financial earnings. Credit a host of endorsement deals for putting Clark in the lead.
Paige Bueckers Valued at $1.5 Million
Bueckers’ net worth is estimated at $1.5 million. This figure comes from her various NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, which are worth around $1.4 million. This estimation makes her one of the top-earning college basketball athletes. She has made deals with various brands such as Nike, Gatorade, Bose, CeraVe, Chegg, Verizon, Panini America, and Dunkin, making her endorsement portfolio even stronger.
She is also the first college basketball athlete to sign a multi-year deal with Gatorade and to launch a player edition Nike sneaker and G.T Hustle 3. Not limited to her endorsement deals, Bueckers has an equity stake in the Unrivaled Basketball League, a 3-on-3 women’s league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
Now, finally, let’s talk about her salary. The University of Connecticut product is preparing to go to the WNBA after leading the Huskies to a national championship on April 6. The rookie salary in the WNBA starts at $78,000, so she is likely to earn the same.
Bueckers has one more option where she can monetize her rising stardom which is on social media. She has 2.1 million followers on Instagram and 3.3 million more on TikTok. This kind of social media presence can open gates to various kinds of deals for her.
Caitlin Clark Valued at $5 Million
Clark is one of the richest athletes in the WNBA, with a net worth of $5 million; this figure includes her endorsement deals, salary, and investments. Her rookie contract with the Indiana Fever is valued at $338,056 over four years, including a 2024 salary of $76,535, plus another $78,066 in 2025, $85,873 in 2026, and $ 97,582 in 2027.
But the major factor boosting Clark’s overall net worth is her brand endorsement deals. In 2024, the 23-year-old signed a deal with Nike worth $28 million, which includes the development of her signature shoe.
She is also the second female athlete to make deals with Gatorade, including a donation of $22,000 from Gatorade to the Caitlin Clark Foundation and the launch of limited edition products like a custom GX bottle and towel co-designed by her, which show her “Dream Big” mantra.
In March 2024, she signed a deal with Panini America, which is Panini’s first deal with a female athlete. This deal included a collection of cards celebrating her career milestones. Clark has earned around $11 million from her endorsement deals, according to Sportico.
She also has made some smart financial investments and one of her biggest investments involves bringing a new women’s soccer team to Cincinnati. This new team will be in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the franchise is expected to start play in 2026. This project is worth around $100 million. Clark is part of the owner’s group.