Caitlin Clark Rookie Card Sells for $660K, Almost 50% More Than Her Entire WNBA Salary
The £512K sale of Clark's card has reignited debate over the WNBA's pay model

A rare rookie trading card of basketball sensation Caitlin Clark has sold for £512,000 ($660,000), surpassing her entire WNBA salary and reigniting the debate over how women's sport is valued.
Clark's meteoric rise with the Indiana Fever has not only captivated fans but also collectors. The card sale underscores a striking gap between her off-court commercial appeal and her league-mandated salary.
Why One Card Is Worth More Than Her Whole Contract
The card, a Panini Flawless Logowoman one-of-one featuring an autograph and game-worn jersey patch, broke records for women's sports memorabilia when it was auctioned in July 2025. According to CLLCT, it became the most expensive women's sports card ever sold.
This sale follows a previous record Clark held herself, when another of her rookie cards fetched £284,000 ($366,000). The sharp rise in value, an increase of over 80% in less than a year, highlights her unmatched status as the face of a new era in women's basketball.
Clark's Rookie Pay: Just £59,000 This Year
While her trading cards break six-figure barriers, Clark's official WNBA salary for 2025 is just £59,000 ($76,535). Her entire four-year contract is worth £262,000 ($338,000), according to TalkSPORT.
In stark contrast:
- The rookie card sold for £512,000 ($660,000).
- Clark will earn £59,000 ($76,535) for the 2025 season.
- Her estimated endorsement earnings exceed £21.8 million ($28 million).
The imbalance has reignited criticism of how the WNBA compensates its top talent despite rising revenue and viewership.
A £28 Million Economic Impact in One Season
Since entering the league, Clark's presence has sparked a massive economic ripple. As per TalkSPORT, her debut season has generated over £28 million ($36 million) in local revenue for Indianapolis alone.
League-wide, she has contributed to:
- Sell-out crowds across multiple arenas.
- A surge in TV ratings and streaming numbers.
- A boom in merchandise sales.
Clark's influence is also expected to boost the WNBA's upcoming media rights deal, with analysts projecting a contract worth approximately £1.7 billion ($2.2 billion) over 11 years, translating to roughly £156 million ($200 million) annually.
Yet, the players who drive this growth are still paid under a revenue-sharing model that provides them just 9% of league income, compared to 50% in the NBA.
Athletes Speak Out on Pay Inequality
Olympian Ilona Maher reacted strongly to the card's sale, saying: 'It's crazy that a collector paid more for her card than the WNBA pays her to play'. Many athletes and fans echoed this sentiment online, calling for reforms to the league's salary structure.
During the 2025 All-Star Game, players wore shirts with the slogan 'Pay Us What You Owe Us', a direct call for equitable compensation as the WNBA approaches its next collective bargaining negotiation in October 2025.
Clark's agent stated, 'The league doesn't have the financial structure to pay her what she's worth, not yet'.
Trading Card Becomes Symbol of a Larger Issue
While the record-breaking sale may delight collectors, it also draws uncomfortable attention to systemic issues in professional women's sport. The value fans place on Clark is evident, not just in jersey sales and ticket demand, but in the staggering price tag on her memorabilia.
'It's not about the card', one WNBA player remarked anonymously. 'It's about what it says, that fans and collectors see our worth, even if the system doesn't yet'.
According to Yahoo Sports, the buzz around the card has only grown, with social media users highlighting the irony between the sale price and Clark's league wages.
What the Sale Really Says About Women's Sport
Caitlin Clark's £512,000 rookie card represents more than a rare collectible, it's a reflection of a shifting sports landscape where women athletes command massive public value but still fight for fair pay. With new media deals pending and collective bargaining talks approaching, the league faces growing pressure to align its pay model with the modern era.
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