Caitlin Clark’s remarkable rise in women’s basketball has brought glaring attention to the significant salary gap between the WNBA and the NBA.
The University of Iowa standout was selected by the Indiana Fever as the top pick in the WNBA draft on April 15, following a season where she not only shattered records on the court but also drew impressive television ratings for women’s basketball.
Expected to ink a four-year, $338,000 deal with the Fever under the WNBA’s rookie wage scale, according to Spotrac, fans are expressing outrage at the relatively modest figure. Clark is set to earn $76,535 in her rookie season this summer, a sum that seems disproportionately low given her impact on the sport.
Many of Caitlin Clark’s supporters took to social media to express their disappointment at her significantly lower pay compared to NBA draft picks.
“These ladies deserve so much more…Praying for the day,” shared Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson on X. Another fan echoed this sentiment, stating, “Ain’t no reason I should have a higher salary than Caitlin Clark, man.”
Others joined in, expressing solidarity with Clark and advocating for fairer compensation. “To everyone trashing Caitlin Clark’s salary, I agree and want better for them,” one person wrote.
Even TODAY’s Hoda Kotb was taken aback by the salary discrepancy. “When I saw the number, $76,000 in the first year and $78,000 in the second year, and $85,000 in the third year, for somebody who is now the face of women’s basketball, it seemed kind of ridiculous,” she remarked on TODAY. “A guy who is in the NBA, first year, they can get $10 million.”
Comparatively, last year’s NBA No. 1 overall pick, San Antonio Spurs rookie star Victor Wembanyama, signed a four-year, $55 million contract, earning $12.1 million in his first season, according to Spotrac.
While Caitlin Clark stands to earn millions from endorsements, the vast disparity between her salary and that of her NBA counterpart remains glaring.
NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk highlighted that a key avenue for the WNBA to bolster salaries is through securing a larger television contract and increasing ticket sales.
With Clark expected to be a pivotal figure in this effort, the Fever has already scheduled 36 of their 40 games to be televised nationally this season, underscoring the anticipation surrounding her addition to the team.
Such is the excitement that the Fever filled their home arena for a draft viewing party on Monday night, despite the event taking place in New York City.
Currently, the WNBA earns approximately $60 million annually from its media rights, with potential renegotiation looming in 2025, as reported by Front Office Sports.
In stark contrast, the NBA enjoys a staggering $24 billion television deal, yielding $2.7 billion per year. Furthermore, the league is anticipated to command between $60 billion and $72 billion when renegotiating its TV contract this summer, according to Sports Business Journal.
News
Mark Wahlberg demands the firing of teachers who remove American flags from classrooms, saying it’s a disrespect to freedom and sacrifice.
Recently, actor and entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg has sparked intense debate across the nation with his bold statement demanding the immediate firing of any teacher who removes the American flag from their classroom. Wahlberg’s declaration that “The American flag stands for…
The View has become TV’s top sleep aid! After a ratings plunge, it’s the worst show on American TV!
In the ever-evolving world of television, few shows have faced the kind of dramatic downfall recently experienced by The View. Once a prominent platform for political and cultural discussion, The View has been dubbed the “worst show on American TV”…
Kid Rock stirred controversy with a message aimed at Garth Brooks: “True country stars love the flag! You can’t sing country if you don’t stand by it. Country music is about heart, soul, and patriotism.”
Country music has long been associated with themes of patriotism, tradition, and a deep-seated love for the American flag. Recently, Kid Rock made headlines with a provocative statement seemingly aimed at fellow country star Garth Brooks: “If you don’t love…
Harrison Butker declares, ‘I’ll always stand for our national anthem,’ taking a swipe at protests. Respect versus drama—Butker stands tall!
In the contemporary landscape of professional sports, athletes are often thrust into the center of societal debates, their actions and words echoing far beyond the fields and courts. Harrison Butker, a placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, recently reignited the…
We need fewer Kaepernicks and more Tim Tebows: “Colin Kaepernick tried to throw a football but ended up throwing a political career instead.”
In the realm of sports, athletes often become cultural icons, representing more than just their athletic prowess. Colin Kaepernick and Tim Tebow are two such figures, each embodying different ideals and values that have sparked widespread debate and divided public…
Breaking: Sheryl Swoopes Calls Caitlin Clark A “Bully” & Claims She Didn’t Really Break The NCAA Scoring Record In Hate-Filled Rant
WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes took issue with the discourse every time Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is fouled and pointed to what happened Sunday with Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese. Reese clocked Clark on the head while Clark…
End of content
No more pages to load