If you’ve been following women’s hoops, you know Caitlin Clark has turned the Indiana Fever into must-see TV. She’s draining shots from distances that seem impossible and captivating millions along the way. 

Last year, contracts across the league got put in the spotlight because Caitlin Clark’s presence alone was driving massive in-person attendance and record TV viewership. Now, with this year’s top picks projected to out-earn her, that spotlight is about to get even brighter. 

Yes, you read that right: when Paige Bueckers — and the other top four picks in this year's draft — join the league in 2025, their base salary will actually eclipse Clark’s in Clark’s second year. Surprised? You’re not alone.

Bueckers’ Bump

Typically, a returning star out-earns any newcomer. Yet Bueckers is projected to make $78,831, nudging past Clark’s $78,066 for 2025. The difference isn’t huge, but it’s enough to raise eyebrows and prompt one question: why would a rookie earn more than someone who’s already lighting up the stat sheet?

Clark was the top pick in 2024, and she’s been every bit the franchise player the Fever hoped for. Her contract starts at $76,535 and will total around $338,000 over four years. Pretty solid numbers, but they’re locked to a specific scale established by the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). No matter how many highlight reels she fills, she can’t renegotiate until her rookie deal runs its course.

Meanwhile, Paige Bueckers — long considered one of the most exciting prospects in college hoops — will likely go No. 1 in 2025 to the Dallas Wings. Thanks to the CBA’s annual salary adjustments, she’ll kick off at $78,831. Over four years, that’s about $348,000, topping Clark’s deal by roughly $10,000. It’s not that the league’s handing Bueckers a special prize; she’s just entering in a draft class with a slightly higher pay bracket.

Timing Over Talent

In most professional leagues, a second-year player drafted in the same slot as a rookie would always earn more — usually just slightly, but still more. It’s not about talent or performance; it’s just how contracts scale. Logically, it wouldn’t make sense for a returning player to make less than someone coming in behind them. 

The current CBA expires after the 2025 season, and many anticipate negotiations that should significantly boost salaries. However, Clark and Bueckers will still be under their rookie contracts unless the league does something rare, like retroactively raising pay. 

More likely, they’ll have to wait until free agency to truly cash in, and that just feels a little unfair, doesn’t it? Clark and Bueckers aren’t just helping their teams; they’re carrying the sport into a new era. Clark in particular brought so much attention to the league last year that it forced conversations about salaries, ticket sales, and national broadcasts. The entire ecosystem has grown with her spotlight on it.

Now imagine being the face of that surge and realizing rookies coming in after you will automatically earn more, just because of timing. These women are doing everything right, helping grow the league and its fanbase, and the system doesn’t really let that reflect in their contracts until years later. That disconnect is only going to get louder as more eyes tune in and realize the math doesn’t quite add up.

Off-Court Earnings

Of course, these two don’t rely solely on WNBA salaries. Clark’s jaw-dropping range and buzzer-beaters have made her a social media sensation, while Bueckers has been a marketing powerhouse since her early college days. She also owns a minority stake in the upstart 3-on-3 league, "Unrivaled," adding another layer to her growing off-court presence.

Both rake in endorsements that can dwarf their league checks. Still, base salary remains one of the few public-facing ways to gauge how the league values its players. 

Even if most fans aren’t checking every contract detail, these numbers inevitably become part of the conversation. It’s not everything — but it matters, especially in a league trying to grow its footprint and show that it truly values the stars pushing it forward.

A Snapshot of League Growth

Ultimately, Paige Bueckers making a bit more than Caitlin Clark in 2025 isn’t a commentary on which player deserves more hype. It’s simply how the CBA is structured, aiming to raise wages each year. While it might feel odd, it’s a glimpse into a league that’s steadily growing.

Both players will likely command bigger contracts once their rookie deals end — especially if the next CBA ramps up salaries across the board. For Clark, there's a very real chance that she shatters the record for biggest WNBA contract ever the first chance she's able to sign a new deal.

For now, this short-term salary discrepancy just adds spice to their rivalry. If it also sparks discussions about paying these athletes what they’re worth, it may be a win for everyone.