Caitlin Clark faces even greater expectations in 2025 than she did as a freshman. The all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history rewrote the record books while leading Iowa to back-to-back national championship appearances. Her iconic No. 22 now hangs in the rafters at the University of Iowa, a testament to her historic collegiate career. Clark’s transition to the WNBA has been equally electrifying – earning Rookie of the Year honors, breaking multiple records, and leading the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016. Now, with a full offseason to improve, a strengthened roster, and a new head coach, Clark and the Fever have their sights set on a WNBA title-something the franchise hasn’t won since 2012.
Clark’s Agent Belives Players Deserve Higher Pay
Despite her impact, Clark’s salary doesn’t reflect her true value. Her agent, Erin Kane, made it clear that the WNBA simply cannot compensate Clark for what she brings to the league. “Is Caitlin Clark ever going to be paid by the WNBA what she’s really worth to this league? I don’t think so,” Kane told ESPN. The numbers back her up – an economist at Indiana University Columbus estimated that Clark was responsible for $36 million in economic impact for Indianapolis and nearly 27% of the league’s financial activity in 2024. She has drawn comparisons to Peyton Manning and Reggie Miller as the biggest star in the city’s sports history. Yet Clark will earn just $78,000 for the 2025 season, a fraction of her true market value.
Clark is not alone in this fight. Other rising stars like Angel Reese, along with veterans like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Sabrina Ionescu, have raised the league’s profile. With young talents like Paige Bueckers, Juju Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo on the horizon, the WNBA will soon face pressure to increase player salaries. The league’s current salary cap structure, which ranges from $64,154 to $241,984 for a Supermax contract, pales in comparison to what other professional leagues offer. Meanwhile, the WNBA Players Association opted out of the current CBA last October, demanding a business model that properly reflects the value of the players. With an 11-year, $2.2 billion media deal about to go into effect, there’s no excuse for the league to continue underpaying its stars.
Clark Ready to Dominate the WNBA
Clark, meanwhile, continues to focus on basketball. She finished her rookie campaign averaging 20 points, 8.4 assists and 6 rebounds per game, setting the single-season assist record (337) and breaking the rookie three-point record. Instead of participating in offseason events like the Unrivaled League or the NBA All-Star Weekend three-point contest, she prioritized development. With an improved supporting cast and another year of experience, Clark is expected to take her game to another level and push the Fever deeper into the playoffs. If history is any indication, she won’t just meet expectations – she’ll exceed them.
Read the full article here
