Caitlin Clark has become one of America’s biggest sports stars in recent months, raising her already high profile with a record-breaking final season at Iowa.
Clark will transition to a professional career with the Indiana Fever after being the No. 1 overall pick in Monday’s WNBA Draft.
His first contract with the Fever is only for just over $76,000, but thanks to brand deals through name, image and likeness, as well as other endorsements, Clark is worth much more than his rookie contract.
Clark’s net worth before turning professional was $3.4 million, per On3Sports. That number will likely skyrocket as big brands line up to partner with Clark, starting with an “eight-figure” endorsement deal with Nike.
Now that Clark can operate its brand outside of NIL parameters, its existing partnerships with companies like Gatorade, State Farm and Buick can expand.
Clark was mobbed by fans and media during Monday’s WNBA Draft as the top overall pick.
Clark earned record television ratings in Iowa and there is great anticipation for her WNBA debut.
Where does Caitlin Clark live?
Clark is originally from West Des Moines, Iowa, prior to her collegiate career as an Iowa Hawkeye.
Upon being recruited by the Indiana Fever, Clark will likely live in the Indianapolis area, a 7-hour drive from her birthplace. There are no direct commercial flights between the cities, but Clark will likely be allowed private trips due to her celebrity status.
The WNBA regular season lasts just over four months, and it’s unclear where Clark will be based outside of her time with the Fever. Many WNBA athletes play overseas during the offseason to earn supplemental income.
Clark’s rare opportunity to step into the spotlight won’t make money an issue this offseason.
Clark has also expressed interest in playing for the United States Olympic team in Paris this summer. The WNBA will take a year off during the 2024 Summer Olympics as many of the league’s top talents will receive national team call-ups.
There is a precedent for star players being called up to the United States Olympic squad in their first seasons in the WNBA. Breanna Stewart was on the 2016 team and Candace Parker played for the Americans in 2008.
Clark and McCaffery have been dating for almost a year after they both played basketball at Iowa.
Who is Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery?
Clark and McCaffery became Instagram official last August in a post of the two on a boat.
McCaffery is a former Iowa men’s basketball player who currently works as a team assistant for the Indiana Pacers, making Clark’s selection to the area’s WNBA franchise even more fitting.
Earlier this week, Clark posted an Instagram Story celebrating her selection for the Fever in New York City with McCaffery.
“My favorite person in the world,” Clark said of McCaffery in an Instagram Story.
In February, McCaffery wrote ‘I love you 22’ on her Instagram Story after Clark became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history.
Clark was introduced by Indiana Fever at a news conference Wednesday morning.
Clark’s journey to the WNBA
The now Fever star began receiving college interest before high school, earning a letter of interest from Missouri State when he was in seventh grade.
Clark was a five-star prospect in the class of 2020 and was ranked as the No. 4 player in the country while committing to Iowa.
The three players ranked ahead of her in ESPN’s recruiting rankings are familiar names to college basketball fans: UConn’s Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink.
Clark earned All-American honors in all four seasons at Iowa and led the Hawkeyes to consecutive appearances in the national title game the past two seasons.
Last month, during Clark’s final regular-season home game against Ohio State, she became the NCAA’s overall scoring leader.