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Russell Wilson on Caitlin Clark, WNBA salaries: 'These ladies deserve so much more'

profilephotocropby: Suzanne Halliburton04/19/24suzhalliburton
russell wilson caitlin clark

Count Russell Wilson as a fan of Caitlin Clark and a proponent for WNBA players making far more money.

Clark, of course, is one of the biggest names in American sports. She set the NCAA basketball career scoring record while at Iowa. Every time she appears on TV rating soar, sometimes to record numbers. The South Carolina-Iowa NCAA championship game even outdrew the men’s title game. In other words, Caitlin Clark is golden.

On Monday, the Indiana Fever selected Clark with the top pick of the WNBA Draft. Then word hit the public how much money she’ll make playing in the WNBA. That’s when Wilson, the new Steelers quarterback, and other big name pro athletes called for Clark and her fellow WNBA players, to earn more.

Wilson shared a post from Barstool Sports, adding “these ladies deserve so much more … Praying for the day.” And Wilson used multiple praying hands emojis to punctuate what he shared.

Caitlin Clark’s contract, which was mandated by the WNBA collective bargaining agreement, will pay her $76,535 for her rookie season. The numbers increase over the four years of the deal. The contract calls for pay of $78,066, then $85,873 and $97,582.

Even Joe Biden offered opinion on Caitlin Clark salary

Many prominent voices joined the chorus in favor of more money for Caitlin Clark and other female pro sports stars. President Joe Biden even joined the conversation. He shared on social media:

“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. It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.”

Fans who aren’t familiar with how sports pay their athletes use NBA salaries as a direct comparison to what the WNBA stars make. But the collective bargaining agreements are different. NBA players share 53 percent of the league’s gross revenues. Last year, those revenues totaled $10.58 billion last year. WNBA players receive up to 20 percent revenues. Last year, that amount was up to $200 million.

Clark is free to negotiate endorsement deals. She’s nearing an endorsement deal with Nike that will pay her more than $20 million. Part of that includes her own shoe.