Few athletes truly get back what they give, and Caitlin Clark is the clearest example. In her rookie year, CC accounted for more than 25% of the WNBA’s total revenue. Before the 2025 season, Indiana University’s Ryan Brewer told NBC that Clark had boosted the league’s value to $875 million, nearing a billion. Yet under the current CBA, she’ll earn only $338,056 in four years. Now, she’s bringing that same impact to the Annika Pro-Am, but will she get the bucks here?

Just as in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark was the main attraction at the 2024 Annika Pro-Am. Thousands turned out to watch her swing, and the excitement is expected to be the same this year. “She added so much excitement to the tournament,” Annika Sorenstam told NBC Sports. “We had a lot of people come out, they were standing on the first tee at 7 am, waiting for her to see that first shot,” yet Clark still won’t see a share of the $3.25 million prize pool.

The equation here is simple. Clark is a celebrity at the Annika Pro-Am, which is a made‑for‑fans exhibition with invited amateurs and celebrities playing alongside LPGA pros. According to the official release, CC is a Gainbridge ambassador to this event and will not participate in the official tournament. 

Clark will play alongside Nelly Korda for the opening nine holes on Wednesday. Then, with the sponsor-invite Lauryn Nguyen for the second nine. The Pro-Am does not have any designated prize money. The competitive section of the tournament starts on Thursday onwards those who compete will earn that prize pool. 

Mind you, Clark is also an amateur. Even if she participated in the official tournament via exemptions or invites, like Kai Trump, she would not be eligible for the full prize money according to USGA rules. “An amateur playing in a scratch competition is allowed to accept any prize, including prize money, up to a limit of £700 or US$1000 in value, per competition, unless the national governing body has set a lower limit,” the USGA rule 3 mentions. 

However, Clark should earn a handsome amount from this tournament, regardless. Se is an affiliated/ sponsored entity at the event. “Bringing Caitlin, Nelly, and Annika together last year was a great day for women’s sports,” said Mike Nichols, Group 1001 Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation. “We look forward to her return this year and continuing our work with our brand ambassadors and partners to elevate women’s sports.”

Her express purpose is to promote the tournament and women’s sports as a whole. While we don’t know the details, Gainbridge and the Annika would have compensated her accordingly. Their investment is already paying off. 

The Caitlin Clark effect is taking over golf, too

Beyond just the raw numbers behind the growth Caitlin Clark brought to women’s basketball, it’s her impact at the grassroots level that will last the longest.

Clark’s playing style on the court, right from her Iowa days, has been a source of inspiration for millions of young girls and boys. Clark’s rise played a part in the increased participation in sports of young girls. A report from the Aspen Institute’s National State of Play 2024 showed that the Fever star’s rise coincided with an increase in young women playing sports.

“Overall sports participation rates for girls have increased in recent years during Clark’s time at Iowa and now in the WNBA. Although it’s difficult to quantify that directly to Clark, Sports & Fitness Industry Association senior advisor Tom Cove believes she plays a role and notes that participation increases among girls also occurred in the 1990s when Mia Hamm burst onto the soccer scene,” the study wrote. Now Annika Sorenstam is hoping for a similar effect in golf, too. 

“We have so many young girls out there on that Wednesday just wanting to sign an autograph where they brought you, basketball, or a hat, or something. It was just nice to see a new demographic enter the golf course,” Sorenstam said.

Getting on the golf course is the first step to understanding the game. Golf rarely hooks newcomers unless you swing into it young. And when the girls see their inspiration enjoying herself on the golf course, they are much more likely to try the game themselves. This time, the girls will have even more motivation to attend as Clark is bringing two of her teammates to the event.