Caitlin Clark and the European Basketball Buzz: What’s the Real Story?
Last Updated on April 1, 2025 by Daniel Williams
Caitlin Clark’s name is everywhere these days, and for good reason—she’s rewriting the basketball script with every step-back three and no-look pass. As the Indiana Fever’s electric guard heads into her second WNBA season in 2025, American fans are buzzing with a question that won’t quit: are those Caitlin Clark Europe rumors legit? Could she really ditch the WNBA for Europe? Is a fat Caitlin Clark Europe contract in the works? Let’s cut through the noise, dig into her numbers, and figure out what’s actually happening with this hoops phenom.
The Caitlin Clark Phenomenon: A Quick Recap
Before we hop across the pond, let’s rewind a bit. Clark’s the real deal—drafted first overall by the Fever in 2024, she lit up her rookie year with 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists a game. That stat line earned her Rookie of the Year honors and a spot on the All-WNBA First Team. Her deep shooting and slick handles had folks tossing around Steph Curry comps, and she didn’t just play—she put the league on notice. Games with her on the court pulled in 1.2 million viewers on average, a 200% jump from games she sat out.
Her story didn’t start in the pros, though. Back at Iowa, she torched the NCAA record books, piling up 3,951 points over 139 games to become Division I’s all-time leading scorer. She averaged 28.4 points and 8.2 assists, draining logo threes that left Hawkeye fans roaring. Now, as she carves out her WNBA path, some can’t help but wonder if those Caitlin Clark Europe whispers mean she’s got one eye on the overseas game.
The Europe Question: Is Caitlin Clark Going to Europe to Play Basketball?
So, is Caitlin Clark going to Europe to play basketball? Straight up—no signs point to her hopping on a plane anytime soon. Plenty of WNBA players jet off to places like Turkey, Russia, or Spain during the league’s long offseason to pad their bank accounts, but Clark’s doing things differently. When the Fever’s 2024 season wrapped in September, she didn’t sign up for an overseas gig. Instead, she stayed home, kicking back and tackling some personal stuff rather than suiting up abroad.
It’s not a shock, really, given her situation. Her WNBA paycheck in 2024 was a modest $76,535—part of a four-year, $338,056 rookie deal—but off the court, she’s raking it in. That eight-year, $28 million Nike contract, plus deals with Gatorade and State Farm, reportedly netted her $11.1 million last year alone. With that kind of dough, she’s not exactly hurting for a Caitlin Clark Europe salary, unlike some of her peers pulling in big bucks overseas.
Even so, the chatter won’t die. You’ll hear fans musing, “Is Caitlin Clark leaving the WNBA for Europe?”—maybe picturing her running the show in EuroLeague Women. But she’s dropped hints she’s not game for more hoops right now. After the Fever’s last playoff loss in 2024, she told ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco she’s “almost definitely” sitting out this offseason. Europe? Sounds more like a spot for a getaway than a gym to her these days.
Caitlin Clark’s Stats: A Numbers Breakdown
To get why Europe’s even on the radar, let’s break down her game. Clark’s numbers don’t lie—college or pro, she’s a force. Check out this table for the full scoop:
| Category | NCAA (Iowa, 2020-2024) | WNBA (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 139 | 40 |
| Points Per Game (PPG) | 28.4 | 19.2 |
| Assists Per Game (APG) | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| Rebounds Per Game (RPG) | 7.1 | 5.7 |
| Field Goal % (FG%) | 46.2% | 41.7% |
| Three-Point % (3P%) | 37.8% | 34.4% |
| Free Throw % (FT%) | 85.8% | 90.6% |
| Steals Per Game (SPG) | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 4.4 | 5.6 |
| Minutes Per Game (MPG) | 34.0 | 35.4 |
Sources: ESPN for WNBA stats; NCAA for college stats.
Her WNBA rookie run had its bumps—5.6 turnovers a game show she’s still finding her footing—but those scoring and assist totals scream superstar. Would that translate to Europe? You bet. Still, nothing says she’s ready to give it a whirl over there.
The Caitlin Clark Europe Contract Buzz: What’s the Deal?
Alright, let’s talk that Caitlin Clark Europe contract buzz. As of April 1, 2025, no European squad has tossed an offer her way—at least not publicly. But the talk about what she’s worth keeps the rumor mill spinning. Her agent, Erin Kane, told ESPN in February 2025 that the WNBA’s current CBA setup—capping rookie pay and topping out supermax deals at $241,984—can’t touch her true market value (ESPN).
Over in Europe, though, the paychecks can get wild. Take Brittney Griner—she was reportedly banking over $1 million a season in Russia before things got messy geopolitically. Could a Caitlin Clark Europe contract outdo that? With her fame, sure, it’s possible—she’d be a cash cow for any team. But it’s all hypotheticals; no real talks have surfaced. Heck, she even shot down a “Messi-like” $1 million-plus offer from Unrivaled, that new 3×3 league stateside (Yahoo Sports). If she’s passing on that, Europe’s probably not on her radar either.
Why Europe Keeps Coming Up
The Caitlin Clark Europe talk isn’t totally out of left field. WNBA players have been crossing the Atlantic for years—shorter seasons from October to April and fatter paychecks make it a no-brainer for a lot of them. Seattle’s Gabby Williams, who hoops in France, threw shade at Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s 2024 claim that players could pull $700,000 at home, calling it a stretch for most (Sportico). Unrivaled’s dishing out over $220,000 on average, which still blows Clark’s WNBA salary out of the water.
Clark’s a different breed, though. Her $11 million endorsement haul in 2024 means she’s not sweating cash flow. She’s even jumped into an NWSL expansion bid in Cincinnati, planting roots here instead of chasing overseas gigs (Fox News).
Recent News and Offseason Moves
As of early 2025, Clark’s keeping it local. She’s hyped up the Fever’s offseason moves—like snagging DeWanna Bonner—showing she’s all in with Indy (ESPN). She’s been grinding too—the Fever dropped workout clips in October 2024 (Daily Mail). No Euro road trips here—just a baller prepping for round two in the WNBA.
Caitlin Clark’s Global Impact: Beyond the Court
Here’s the cool part: Clark’s reach goes way past U.S. borders. Her games pull eyes globally—her NCAA Final Four runs even outrated the men’s. Could that star power spark a Caitlin Clark Europe tour someday, maybe a pickup game or clinic? Don’t rule it out. For now, though, she’s America’s own, lifting women’s hoops from Indy—not Istanbul or Madrid.
So, no, Caitlin Clark isn’t leaving the WNBA for Europe. No Caitlin Clark Europe salary is cooking. She’s locked in here, at least for the moment, and fans can watch her next chapter unfold right on home turf.
