Pickleball Players Out-Earning WNBA Stars: Caitlin Clark has been a game-changer for women’s basketball, drawing massive crowds and increasing viewership for the WNBA. However, despite her impact, her salary remains far below that of professional pickleball players. While Clark earned $76,000 in her rookie season with the Indiana Fever, top pickleball players are making significantly more.
Yes, You Read That Right—Pickleball Pros Now Make More Than WNBA & NWSL Stars
1/ You won’t believe this… Pro pickleball players are now out-earning WNBA and NWSL stars. A sport once seen as a backyard hobby is cashing in while elite women’s basketball & soccer players… pic.twitter.com/QXrQ6kttER
— Sticky – The Business of Sports (@StickySportsBiz) February 23, 2025
Pickleball’s Financial Growth Surpasses WNBA Salaries
The WNBA has been around for nearly 30 years, but its salary structure remains restrictive. Teams can only provide limited benefits beyond base salaries, such as housing. Even as Clark has generated millions in revenue for her team and the league, her earnings from playing remain relatively low.
Meanwhile, pickleball, which only became a professional sport in 2019, already offers higher financial rewards. A 2023 CBS News report found that the average salary for a professional pickleball player was $100,000, a number that continues to grow as the sport attracts more sponsors and investors.
Anna Leigh Waters Leads Pickleball’s Earnings
At just 18 years old, Anna Leigh Waters earned $3 million in 2024, making her the highest-paid pickleball player. Her income comes from tournament winnings, sponsorships, and endorsements, demonstrating the sport’s financial advantages.
Even with a new WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on the horizon, Clark’s earnings from league play are unlikely to approach those of pickleball’s top players.
Sponsorship and Earnings Potential in Pickleball
Clark’s endorsement deals reportedly brought her $11 million in 2024, a figure expected to rise. However, her WNBA salary remains a tiny fraction of her total earnings.
In contrast, pickleball players benefit from an open-market system, allowing them to freely secure sponsorships and maximize their income. This flexibility has helped top athletes in the sport achieve financial success far beyond what WNBA salaries currently offer.
Future Outlook for Pickleball Players and WNBA Salaries
As pickleball continues to grow, sponsorship deals and tournament prizes are expected to increase further, ensuring top players remain well-compensated. The sport’s expansion, along with corporate investment and media deals, could push player earnings even higher.
Meanwhile, the WNBA’s CBA negotiations may lead to salary increases, but it remains uncertain if league earnings will ever match those of players. For now, pickleball offers a far more lucrative career path, with higher salaries and stronger financial opportunities than women’s basketball.
News in Brief: Pickleball Players Out-Earning WNBA Stars
Professional pickleball players are earning significantly more than WNBA star Caitlin Clark, despite pickleball being a newer sport. Anna Leigh Waters, the highest-paid player, made $3 million in 2024, while Clark’s WNBA salary is just $78,000. With pickleball sponsorships and prize money rising, the sport is proving to be far more financially rewarding than women’s basketball.
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