Basketball fans were stunned when former Iowa women’s basketball star and 2024 WNBA first overall pick Caitlin Clark signed a lucrative 8-year, $28 million deal with Nike, including a signature shoe.
Clark’s college success increased the popularity of the women’s game. Clark’s final college game drew 18.7 million viewers, more than the 2023 NBA Finals and the 2023 World Series. Her popularity gained widespread culture traction, as country music superstar Tim McGraw wore her Indiana Fever Jersey as a tribute during his April 18 concert.
Clark’s Nike contract is fascinating because her base salary is only $76,000, which is lower than some NBA fines. For example, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was fined $100,000 for making a money sign to referees during a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 10.
It was revealed that Clark’s four-year contract will be worth $338,000. In contrast, the 2023 NBA first overall pick Victor Wembanyama’s four-year contract is worth $55 million.
Her contract had many fans confused and outraged, but the main reason for her low salary is that the WNBA’s profits are lower than the NBA’s.
Yet with Clark’s entrance into the WNBA, there are signs that revenue will increase with more merchandise and ticket sales, as well as TV and advertising deals.
Clark’s popularity produced heavy interest in the WNBA and season tickets for the Indiana Fever sold out less than a week after the draft. In addition, 36 of the Fever’s 40 regular season games are set to be nationally televised, and the Las Vegas Aces and Washington Mystics are planning to play their games against the Fever in larger stadiums. Additionally, the 2024 WNBA draft drew more than three million viewers.
With more eyes than ever on women’s basketball, there is hope that the WNBA will someday be able to provide fairer pay to its players.
