The Indiana Fever guard reportedly already has a net worth of £2.9 million ($3.8m) at the age of just 22, reflecting her highly sought-after skills. However, fellow prodigious American and gymnast Olivia Dunne might just have the rookie basketball star beat when it comes to earnings as she's reportedly worth over £1.5m ($2m) more.
Both athletes were college sensations and have wowed audiences nationwide with their prowess on the court and stage. Dunne's popularity skyrocketed after she went viral on social media, amassing millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram for her videos and posts.
Clark , meanwhile, is still carving out her path to stardom, having been the number one overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and leaving college with a slew of records under her belt. The Irish Star has all the details on the pair's respective net worths, their rise to fame and who earns more than the other - and it's not who you might expect.
Caitlin Clark - WNBA salary, net worth and rise to fame
Clark made a name for herself in college basketball as a guard for the University of Iowa, becoming the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division 1 basketball for both men and women with 3,951 points - breaking a 54 year old record held by Louisiana State University's Pete Maravich, reports the Express .
Before joining the WNBA, Clark had an impressive record at the University of Iowa, setting numerous records and significantly contributing to the rise in popularity of women's basketball. Her signature deep 3-pointer shot - often referred to as a 'logo-3' - is a challenging shot for both men and women, and every team in the country was eager to have her on their side.
After leaving a legacy in Iowa, the 22 year old was the top pick in the 2024 WNBA draft - selected by the Indiana Fever. After being drafted by the Fever, Clark signed a massive £258,000 ($338,000) contract in Indiana that will last four years. Parade reports that the young athlete will earn over £57,000 ($75K) in her first year, and a staggering £74,000 ($92K) by her final year of her contract in 2027.
This rise to fame has resulted in Clark having a substantial net worth, estimated at around £2.9m ($3.8m). However, the 22-year old-has plenty of opportunities to increase her earnings - through sponsorship deals, marketing agreements with the WNBA themselves, and endorsements for brands.
In college, Clark partnered with brands like Gatorade, Bose and State Farm in endorsement deals - and things haven't slowed down since she joined the professional leagues. Clark has already teamed up with Nike and Wilson Sporting Goods Co - two brands that will undoubtedly bring even more money to her door over the years.
Clark could also boost her earnings through the WNBA itself, as they have a history of offering Player Marketing Agreements (PMAs) to standout players. This agreement would essentially make Clark a brand ambassador for the WNBA and its partners - potentially adding an extra £191,227 ($250K) to her bank account. With the WNBA season now over, Clark is shifting her focus to golf during the winter months, a move that could see both her fame and fortune increase.
Olivia Dunne's net worth and rise to prominence
Dunne's journey to success and stardom has spanned a longer period and includes achievements outside her chosen sport. The 22-year-old artistic gymnast competes with the Louisiana State University Tigers women's gymnastics team and the US national team.
She clinched gold for her country at the junior level in 2017, along with 11 national championship medals between 2014 and 2020. Dunne has also gained recognition through her social media presence, known for her popular videos on TikTok and Instagram.
With a following of 5.3 million on Instagram and another 8.1 million on TikTok, Dunne can rake in millions through endorsements and other social media ventures - contributing to her total net worth of a staggering £4.5m ($6m), according to Celebrity Net Worth.
In addition to her gymnastics earnings, Dunne has secured various endorsement deals with brands. Celebrity Net Worth reports that she made at least £7.6m ($10m) during her college years, making her the highest-paid college athlete globally.
This level of earnings became possible in 2021 when the NCAA changed their rules to allow athletes to earn money from their names and images. Following this rule change, Dunne signed with WME Sports and announced her first exclusive brand partnership with activewear brand Vuori. Since then, her hasn't waned, and her continued success both on and off the balance beam is evident for all to see.
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