While the popularity of WNBA among the big sports landscape has increased exponentially in recent years thanks to its new exciting players going from their incredible college career to professional ranks, the relative disparity of remuneration for their counterparts NBA has become more and more obvious.
In a Recent interview with ESPNErin Kane, the agent representing the goalkeeper of Indiana Caitlin Clark, said that the rising star could never be completely offset for his true value.
“Will Caitlin Clark never be paid by the WNBA what it really is for this league? I don’t think it’s possible,” said Kane.
“It is part of a larger body of players. They must all be paid more. It should be recognized for what it has done and what it has brought to the League from an economic point of view. ‘is as simple as that. “
Clark enters his second season with fever in May after having broken the record for the league assisted as a recruit and obtained the prize for the recruit of the league year. She and the rest of a 2024 star recruit class helped to drive the most watched regular season in the WNBA in 24 years and its highest in more than 20.
In terms of economic impact, a recent interview with the Indianapolis star with an economist at the Indiana University-Columbus calculated that Clark was responsible for $ 36 million in economic impact on the city of Indianapolis and near 27% of the League’s economic activity for the 2024 season, including attendance, sales of goods and television.
According to HerhoopstatsClark’s salary is expected to be $ 78,066 for the 2025 season, or 5.3% of $ 1,475,650 from the team’s total pay, excluding training camp contracts currently on February 17. With regard to the current collective agreement, the league’s salary ceiling is set at $ 1,507,100.
WNBA wages are collectively negotiated and vary from about $ 64,154 to $ 241,984 for a player on a Supermaxim contract. The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) chose to get out of its current ABC last October, potentially creating a work stoppage if a new agreement is not concluded by the end of the 2025 season.
The union said at the time that players were looking for a “business model that reflects their true value, encompassing higher wages”, among other advantages.
“The most important thing has always been to charge WNBA players for what they do on the field,” added Kane. “I very, very hope for this ABC negotiation that it will be progressive and will advance the line a lot.”
Last year, the WNBA announced a media rights agreement of 11 years worth around 2.2 billion dollars – or 200 million dollars per year, much more than the $ 60 million than The league is currently obtaining.
In response to the agreement negotiated by the NBA, which holds around 60% of the WNBA, the executive director of the WNBPA, Terra Jackson, said last July that the League was undervalued for its current value and potential.
“I think we are ready for a spin-off (from the NBA),” said Kane. “I just think that the NBA is encouraged to make decisions that are good for the NBA, and these are not always aligned with what is good for the WNBA. And therefore, for the league in which I work, I want women and women’s basketball to be able to make clear and clear choices that are in their own interest.
Admittedly, with the negotiations surrounding the next CBA at the simmer stadium, it will be a subject to keep an eye on the league between its 28th season.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Caitlin Clark agent not convinced WNBA can pay the star of his true value
