The WNBA might have released its schedule for the 2026 season, but the WNBPA and the league are yet to settle on CBA negotiations. The WBPA posted their non-negotiable demands on social media, which included salary and revenue-sharing model as key aspects.
While the league is still working on the same, recent news about Caitlin Clark’s low salary might hamper their attempt to limit the said demands.
Vice President Napheesa Collier also gave CC’s example to highlight the pay disparity with the amount she is bringing in the league and the amount she is taking home as salary. While that was impactful enough, Pickleball star Anna Leigh Waters’ salary will raise many eyebrows for sure.
Pickleball Star Anna Leigh Waters Earns 40X Times More Than Caitlin Clark
Pickleball’s biggest star, Anna Leigh Waters, started her pro career at 12, becoming the youngest-ever player in the sport. Seven years into the game, she has dominated the game and quickly become the center of attraction.
However, Nike swooped in on the youngster and made her its first-ever pickleball athlete. While Clark’s recent visit to Nike Headquarters went viral, the signing of the 18-year-old also grabbed attention, and people started comparing the two young stars.
“She will earn more than $3 million this year. She has become the face of pickleball, and both the PPA Tour [Professional Pickleball Association] and MLP [Major League Pickleball] know that. There’s nobody else out there that has all these deals that she has right now,” confirmed Kelly Wolf.
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Trending WNBA News
NIKE SIGNS ITS FIRST PICKLEBALL ATHLETE
— The Dink Pickleball (@Pickleball) January 13, 2026
MASSIVE day for pickleball, bad day for its haters
Anna Leigh Waters signs long term apparel and footwear deal with @Nike pic.twitter.com/cKAtQvr8Pq
While the Fever guard earns around $84,514 annually, Waters’ numbers certainly put a question mark over the WNBA pay structure and are one of the main reasons WNBA stars are fighting for in the CBA.
Fans might find it shocking that a newcomer in a comparatively new game earns more than the established mega star of the WNBA. But the Fever guard’s WNBA salary is just 1% part of her income.
Caitlin Clark Earns Massive Income Off The Court
Since her college career, the former Iowa star has been a household name following her skill sets and ability on the court. She earned many sponsorship deals, raising her NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) portfolio.
Playing in the WNBA, her deals got richer, and she added more sponsors, taking her annual income to around $16 million, making her the highest-earning player in the league.
Caitlin Clark’s season was cut short, but her star power wasn’t. The 2x All-Star pulled in an estimated $16.1 million this year — 99.3% from endorsements.
— Boardroom (@boardroom) December 5, 2025
Her portfolio isn’t slowing down either. Ascension St. Vincent and Stanley joined a roster that already includes… pic.twitter.com/fpWPMdXwt9
Her endorsement deals include brands like Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Panini, Hy-Vee, Stanley, Xfinity, and Gainbridge. While her rookie WNBA salary was roughly $76,535 in 2024, she secured massive, high-profile partnerships, including an 8-year, $28 million deal with Nike.