Seattle Storm star Gabby Williams quits WNBA in wake of controversial Caitlin Clark comments
Former Seattle Storm star Gabby Williams has left the WNBA after controversial comments she made about Caitlin Clark and women’s basketball salaries.
Williams has now moved overseas to play in Europe after Seattle was eliminated by the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA playoffs.
The 28-year-old power forward, a first-round draft pick of the Chicago Sky in 2018, has joined Fenerbahce in Turkey.
It comes just days after Williams lashed out at WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert over comments she made about the earning potential for players in the league.
Engelbert previously claimed that WNBA players can make up to $700,000 a year, but Williams recently emphasized, “That’s actually not true at all. There is not one player who makes that.’
Former Seattle Storm star Gabby Williams has left the WNBA to join Fenerbahce in Turkey
It comes just days after power weighed in on Caitlin Clark’s earnings power
She added: “We have been promised team marketing agreements and league marketing agreements, but they have fallen significantly short.
‘So it is still not enough that we as international players want to stay here. And that is a choice of the players.
“If I make the choice to make more money, whatever, and then the teams are upset that I’m not coming back, but that’s the way it is.”
A fan of Clark then pointed out that the Indiana Fever star’s earnings had surpassed $700,000 during her rookie season.
That’s despite the fact that her WNBA base salary is just $76,000.
Williams responded to the fan on social media, emphasizing that she was only referring to the WNBA payment, and not money made through sponsorships and other outside deals.
“Clark makes $70,000 in the WNBA,” Williams said. “So I know all these Caitlin Clark fans are saying, ‘Caitlin Clark makes $700,000.’
“That’s beyond the expressions of support… to anyone who says leave the country, if you’re unhappy in America, that’s what I did.”
The forward averaged 10.3 points, four rebounds and 3.7 assists during the 2024 WNBA regular season before deciding to leave for Turkey.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Claimed WNBA Players Can Earn Up to $700,000 Per Year