Caitlin Clark broke many records during her basketball career at the University of Iowa. And she was the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft Monday.
However, when the terms of her contract with the Indiana Fever were revealed, many believed she is not getting what she deserves, especially when compared to her male counterparts, per NBC News.
Clark will earn $338,056 over four years, according to the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement.
“Under the 2024 WNBA rookie scale for the No. 1-4 draft picks, she’ll earn a base salary of $76,535 for her first year, $78,066 the second year and $85,873 the third, with a fourth-year option of $97,582,” the outlet reported.
The story is quite different for male players, especially No. 1 picks.
Victor Wembanyama, last year’s No. pick for the San Antonio Spurs
Received a $55 million four-year contract — he received $12.1 million in his first season, according to the athlete contract tracker Spotrac.
The gap in pay outraged Hoda Kotb, host of NBC’s “Today” show.
“They’ve already sold out games. She had the highest ratings, her teams and the Final Four had the highest ratings — higher than the World Series, higher than the NBA. So I was like, what is she going to get paid? Because finally, you can get a real paycheck. Then I saw it and was like, this can’t be right.”
Co-host Jenna Bush Hager agreed, adding, “Honestly the gap is so jarring. … We’re talking about equal pay. That ain’t even close.”
President Joe Biden added a post on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all.”
“But right now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, women are not paid their fair share,” he said. “It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.”
Male athletes such as Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“These ladies deserve so much more … Praying for the day,” he wrote on X.
These ladies deserve so much more…
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) April 16, 2024
Praying for the dayl https://t.co/mIZmaXwPVi
This draft class will hopefully shift the tide and bring in more viewers
— Mr Unlimmmited (@chris_ferland) April 16, 2024
Journalist Lisa Ling offered her take on Instagram.
“Steph Curry makes more per game than what Caitlin Clark is making for 4 years! With the toll sports and travel take on women’s bodies, is this even a living wage? I know WNBA games have not brought in comparable numbers by any stretch of the imagination, but this is disgraceful. Do better for all of our women athletes!”
But not everyone agreed.
