The Indiana Fever's decision to draft Caitlin Clark first overall has paid off in more ways than one: She had one of the most historic, record-breaking seasons in WNBA history, led the Fever to the playoffs, and now her autographed rookie card has sold for a record amount.
Clark's rookie card sold at auction for $84,000, breaking the previous record of $78,000 set earlier this year for an autographed 2022 Bowman University Caitlin Clark Superfractor.
“Part of the Panini Instant line of on-demand cards for a limited time, this card celebrates the Indiana Fever selecting Clarke with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft,” a description on the Fanatics Collect site reads.
“And now one lucky collector has received this 1/1 autographed card. Clark's impact on the WNBA is evident from the huge increase in attendance and interest, and a 1/1 of this No. 1 pick is sure to generate plenty of interest… [She’s] She will be the No. 1 star in women's basketball.”
According to Basketball Insiders, “Panini Instant 1/1 Card Features Clark, a former first-round draft pick, holds up a Fever jersey onstage at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City. The Blue Viper rookie RC card is also autographed by Clark and “guaranteed” to be authentic by Panini America.
“Additionally, the Panini Instant 1/1 edition became the first card to feature Clark wearing a Fever jersey, and on draft night, the Blue Viper card sold at Dutch Auction for $10,000.”
The auction wasn't the only record Kaitlyn Clark broke. In her debut WNBA season, she set new records for most points by a rookie in WNBA history, all-time points by a point guard, most assists in a game, most assists in a season by a WNBA player, and most triple-doubles by a rookie in a season. She also passed Diana Taurasi for second-most three-pointers made in a season.
