Caitlin Clark etched her name into both NCAA and WNBA history in 2024, but her influence transcended the basketball court. Despite earning a modest five-figure base salary with the Indiana Fever, Clark emerged as one of the highest-paid female athletes of the year, thanks to her unmatched marketability. Her staggering $11.1 million in endorsement earnings was fueled by high-profile partnerships with brands like Wilson and Panini, resulting in highly coveted collectible items celebrating her legacy. Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) recognized her impact, placing Clark in unprecedented territory among basketball greats through their annual trading card rankings.
For the first time in history, a female athlete secured a spot in PSA’s top 10 most-graded basketball trading cards. Clark ranked sixth overall, with over 77,000 of her trading cards evaluated in 2024 alone. This achievement placed her alongside legendary figures like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. Among female basketball stars, she far outpaced her peers, including Paige Bueckers (5,400 cards graded), Angel Reese (4,700), and JuJu Watkins. Clark’s sheer dominance in trading card popularity underscored her unique appeal and growing cultural significance.
Clark’s success in the trading card market was not only about quantity but also value. On December 7, her 2024 Panini Select WNBA Gold Vinyl 1/1 Signature card shattered records, becoming the most expensive WNBA card ever sold at a staggering $234,850 through Goldin Auctions. This historic sale trails only Serena Williams’ 2022 trading card sale of $266,400, marking Clark’s card as the second-highest sale in women’s sports history. Such milestones reflect her skyrocketing influence both within and beyond basketball fandom.
What sets Clark apart is her ability to command attention across different platforms. Her collectibles are not just sought after by WNBA enthusiasts but also by mainstream sports collectors, marking a rare crossover appeal. With her cards ranked just below NBA icons like Victor Wembanyama, Michael Jordan, and Anthony Edwards, Clark has solidified herself as a cultural phenomenon with staying power in the sports memorabilia world.
In a year defined by record-breaking achievements, Caitlin Clark’s trading card dominance stands as a testament to her broader impact. Her influence stretches beyond the court and into the realm of cultural iconography, rewriting the narrative for women’s sports. With her star continuing to rise, Clark’s legacy is cementing itself not only in basketball but also in the world of sports collectibles.
