Caitlin Clark’s arrival in Dallas ahead of her professional debut has reignited the debate over the treatment of WNBA players, as the Indiana Fever No. 1 and her teammates stepped off a commercial flight ahead of their game.
Under the league’s collective bargaining agreement, which was negotiated in 2020 while Clark was still in school, WNBA teams primarily fly commercially to and from games — which differs from the NBA’s policy of chartering planes.
It was therefore striking to see Clark walking along the baggage claim at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, in images posted by WFAA’s Matt Howerton.
In response, many fans expressed their belief that Clark and her Fever teammates should fly privately.
“…Owners need to do better,” said one.
Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being drafted No. 1 overall
The league’s current CBA runs until 2027, but there is an option to end it earlier.
The footage comes after President Biden urged the WNBA to pay its players “their fair share.”
‘Women in sport continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all. But right now we see that even when you are the best, women don’t get their fair share,” Biden wrote in a post on X.
“It’s time we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women get what they deserve.”
After Clark was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever, it emerged that her base salary for the rookie year would only be $76,535.
According to the WNBA commissioner, Clark will earn top $500,000 this season
President Biden said WNBA players like Clark deserve to get “their fair share.”
However, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert insisted the former Iowa star could even earn $500,000 all-in, including bonuses.
‘[For a] CEO, do you just put the base salary in there? No, you bet their bonus, you bet their stock options, you bet everything,” Engelbert said at a CNBC Changemakers event, according to NJ.com.
“Caitlin has the opportunity to make half a million dollars this year in WNBA wages alone, so they’re just looking at a collectively bargained basis and [what is reported is] is actually low because she is the No. 1 pick.”
Clark also signed an eight-year deal worth $28 million with Nike, who also gave her her own shoe.
The Fever starts their season