As of now, the NBA’s minimum salary for rookies is around $925,000 for the 2022 season, while the WNBA’s maximum salary caps at about $221,450. This is considerably less than the minimum in the NBA. Furthermore, the average salary in the WNBA is roughly $130,000 while the average in the NBA exceeds $7 million.
There are various reasons for this stark gap, including revenue disparities (the NBA generates significantly more money than the WNBA), differing levels of media coverage and sponsorship, and underlying societal attitudes towards women’s sports. Until these factors are addressed, the salary divide will likely persist.
Caitlin Clark, an outstanding college basketball player, highlights this economic reality. Despite her skill and prevalence, should she choose to advance to the WNBA, her potential earning capacity will be essentially restricted compared to her male counterparts in the NBA.