Caitlin Clark returns from injury at USA Basketball camp
FOS’ Annie Costabile was at the USA Basketball camp where Caitlin Clark made her return from injury. Full interview at YouTube.com/@IndianapolisStar
Forbes recently released its list of the 20 highest-paid female athletes, and for the second year in a row, Caitlin Clark was the top-earning female basketball player in the world.
Adding up her annual salary, bonus and endorsements, Forbes estimated the former Iowa women’s basketball star to be the 11th highest paid female athlete. The 23-year-old made her debut on Forbes’ annual rankings last year, coming in at No. 13 with an estimated compensation of $8.1 million.
The 20 highest-paid female athletes earned a combined $293 million in 2025, up 13% from last year, with a record 14 athletes earning $10 million a year, according to Forbes.
How much did Caitlin Clark make in 2025?
Clark earned $12.1 million in compensation this year. Nearly all of it comes from her endorsement deals, as Forbes estimates her WNBA salary to be roughly $100,000. Some of her sponsors include Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Panini America and Hy-Vee.
Clark’s base salary was $78,066, and she earned additional money with the Fever winning the Commissioner’s Cup ($30,000) and reaching the semifinals ($3,435). She also received $2,575 for being named to the All-Star team, according to Sportico.
Who was the highest-paid female athlete in 2025?
For the second consecutive year, tennis star Coco Gauff is the world’s highest-paid female athlete. The 21-year-old earned $33 million this year, including $8 million from the court, partly because of her French Open victory in June. Gauff made $25 million off the court through endorsements from New Balance, Bose and Baker Tilly.
Here were the next highest-paid female athletes:
Aryna Sabalenka, Tennis: $30 millionIga Swiatek, Tennis: $25.1 millionEileen Gu, Freestyle Skiing: $23.1 millionQinwen Zheng, Tennis: $22.6 millionMadison Keys, Tennis: $13.4 millionNelly Korda, Golf: $13 millionNaomi Osaka, Tennis: $12.5 millionElena Ryabkina, Tennis: $12.5 millionJessica Pegula, Tennis: $12.3 million
USA TODAY reporter Scooby Axson contributed to this report.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.