Fresh off leading the Huskies to their 12th national championship in 2025, Paige Bueckers is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings. However, before going pro, she has now made waves by penning a generous three-year contract with Unrivaled. In this 3-on-3 basketball league, she is supposed to get equity in addition to salary payouts larger than WNBA rookies could bring in.

That’s huge, especially since Unrivaled raked in $27 million in its debut season last year.

As Bueckers gears up to kickstart her WNBA career, it comes as no surprise that she’d be compared to last year’s Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark. The two have transformed women’s basketball with what they’ve done on and off the court—but how does the Bueckers’ net worth compare to Clark’s as she makes her professional debut? We’ll explain

Who Has a Higher Net Worth in 2025: Paige Bueckers or Caitlin Clark?

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Caitlin Clark has emerged as one of the wealthiest athletes in women’s basketball, with her estimated net worth rising to $5 million in 2025. This number includes WNBA salary and endorsement deals from Nike, Gatorade, Wilson, and State Farm, among others. Her eight-year, $28 million deal with Nike, which includes a signature shoe, was particularly transformative.

Paige Bueckers currently has a net worth of around $1.5 million, bolstered by her NIL deals as a college athlete and her newfound Unrivaled deal. Although this is significantly less than Clark’s, Bueckers might be able to grow her wealth much faster after signing up for Unrivaled. Her yearly salary in the league exceeds a four-year pay of a WNBA rookie in their first year alone.

With Dallas ready to make her their star, brands are already circling.

Clark and Bueckers both profited from NIL deals during their college playing days, but Clark’s far wider media appeal and marketability have put her over the top. She made more than $3 million on NIL deals while playing for Iowa and continues to lure big-money opportunities. Bueckers’ NIL earnings were impressive but not as eye-popping as Clark’s.

Whose Salary Is Bigger: Bueckers in Unrivaled or Clark in the WNBA?

Paige Bueckers’ decision is notable as she is focusing on Unrivaled. The average salary for players will be $220,000 per season, with Bueckers reportedly earning over $348,000 a year starting in 2026, allowing athletes the chance to make six figures in only a 10-week time commitment. The average salary far outweighs Caitlin Clark’s annual earnings as a rookie in the WNBA. Clark’s four-year deal is $338,056, earning $78,066 in 2025. As the Wings’ No. 1 pick, Paige is set to make $78,831 this year, just a bit more than Clark’s rookie pay.

While Clark will receive incremental raises over her WNBA rookie salary, Bueckers’ Unrivaled pay is already one of the biggest in women’s basketball, underscoring the salary misalignment between leagues.

Who Has the Bigger Endorsement Portfolio in 2025?

Caitlin Clark has established herself as a marketing juggernaut through deals with top brands. Her contract with Nike is alone valued at $28 million and will include appearances and endorsement of merchandise. She also has deals that have made her one of the most marketable athletes in women’s sports in deals with Gatorade and State Farm.

She’s banking about $3.5 million a year from endorsements alone.

While Paige Bueckers also has deals with Nike and Gatorade, her endorsement portfolio doesn’t include the kind of blockbuster arrangement that characterizes Clark’s compensation. Her equity in Unrivaled could pay off handsomely down the road.

Who Benefits More from NIL and Equity Deals: Clark or Bueckers?

Caitlin Clark was one of the top NIL earners among college athletes, making over $3 million before she even made it to the WNBA. Her vision, mixed with her ability to land endorsements such as Panini Trading Cards, allowed her to expand her markets.

Her NCAA games drew millions on ESPN, giving her a bigger spotlight than most.

Paige Bueckers became the first NCAA player to sign with Unrivaled, which gave her both equity and salary. Although Clark stands to earn more in the short term in terms of cash flow, Bueckers’ ownership stake could set her up to receive more in the long term.

As of 2025, Caitlin Clark is heavily favored in net worth thanks to an unmatched endorsement portfolio and her established position as a WNBA star. However, Paige Bueckers is also not lagging. Her Unrivaled decision presents a financial strengthening that could ultimately allow her to catch up to, or even exceed, Clark’s earnings in due time.