On Tuesday, President Biden emphasized the importance of women receiving fair pay, after an online debate sparked about salary disparities in the WNBA following Caitlin Clark’s No. 1 draft selection.
As we previously reported, basketball fans had a major debate online about the salaries in the WNBA and brought up how Ice Cube offered Caitlin Clark $5 million to play in his Big3 league. After a lot of people weighed in on the situation president Joe Biden spoke out and stated that women should get paid what they deserve. “Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all,” Biden wrote on X. “But right now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, women are not paid their fair share.
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“It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.” Biden’s statement came shortly after the Indiana Fever chose Clark as the top pick in the draft. Cameron Brink was selected as No. 2 by the LA Sparks, followed by Kamilla Cardoso at No. 3 to the Chicago Sky.
The contracts-focused website shared details of Clark’s rookie contract, indicating that she is expected to sign a four-year deal worth $338,056. Her earnings are projected to start at $76,535 in 2024 and increase annually. Should the team exercise the option in 2027, her earnings would rise to $97,582.
Despite calls from athletes like Russell Wilson for increased pay for female athletes, Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti highlighted the importance of examining revenue sharing in the context of this discussion.
“The biggest stumbling block with the growth of WNBA player compensation is the way that revenue is being shared,” he wrote on X. “Per the 2020 CBA, the league must hit a certain budgeted revenue threshold annually before any revenue sharing kicks in.
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“While overall revenue is increasing, player’s ability to capitalize is still very limited. Change is imminent.”
Similar to other athletes transitioning from college, Clark has the opportunity to generate additional income through endorsement deals related to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). She has secured agreements with State Farm, Panini America, Nike, and various other brands.