Caitlin Clark’s rookie contract of just over $76,000 vilified by Shaquille O’Neal, who tells fans to keep showing up for women’s basketball: ‘It’s just up to the people to support’

Among those unhappy with Caitlin Clark’s rookie contract with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever is basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, who urged fans to keep showing up for women’s basketball.

O’Neal joined a list that included President Joe Biden and legions of online fans shocked at how little Clark would earn her first contract in the WNBA.

Clark’s contract is no different from other top rookies in the WNBA, as she will make just $76,535 in her first WNBA season as part of her first professional contract in 2024.

By comparison, the most recent No. 1 NBA draft pick, Victor Wembanyama, made $12,160,680 in his first season with the San Antonio Spurs. Clark’s salary increases to $78,066 in year two and $85,873 in year three. If she were to take the fourth year under her current contract, she would make $97,582.

Although Clark’s performance on the basketball court during this year’s NCAA tournament captivated the nation, she will make less money in her first year of WNBA contract than some NBA mascots make.

O’Neal is a Hall of Famer who was also shocked by how little Clark will make in the WNBA

“Now it’s just up to people to support,” O’Neal said People. “Now that you know about Caitlin, you know about Angel, make sure you go buy the jerseys, make sure you watch the game, make sure you show up at the games.”

“It’s time to really super support these women because the more money (the WNBA) makes, the more money they’ll make,” O’Neal added.

Thanks to brand deals through name, image and likeness, as well as other sponsorships, Clark is worth much more than her rookie deal.

Clark’s net worth before turning pro was $3.4 million per On3Sports. That number is likely to skyrocket as major brands line up to partner with Clark, starting with a reported “eight-figure” endorsement deal with Nike.

Clark’s popularity will likely see her make a lot of money off the court through brand deals

Now that Clark can operate her brand outside of NIL parameters, her existing partnerships with companies like Gatorade, State Farm and Buick can expand.

The average WNBA base salary last season was $113,295, with the league’s highest earners approaching $250,000 per season.

Clark is in a position similar to former O’Neal teammate LeBron James in that she can completely change the Fever’s trajectory, like the now-Laker did with the Cavaliers.

ESPN announced that 2.45 million people tuned in to watch the Fever select her with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft on Monday, shattering the previous viewership record of just over 601,000.