Caitlin Clark reportedly inquired as to whether or not opposing teams could be paid more money due to her star power selling out road games.
Think about that for a minute.
Clark spent the season breaking multiple records and leading the Indiana Fever to the playoffs for the first time in years. But she also noticed something during her away games this year: arenas were selling out, and there was a palpable surge in interest and revenue wherever she played.
But instead of seeing this as merely a boost to her own marketability, Clark saw an opportunity for her fellow WNBA athletes to benefit from this newfound wealth.
Indiana Fever president Allison Barber revealed the extraordinary selfless request made by Clark during the season.
How Can The Opposing Team Benefit?
Earlier in the season, it was announced that the WNBA was quadrupling revenue via a $2.2 billion media rights deal. Caitlin Clark becoming must-see television and delivering a never-ending stream of television ratings were obviously a major factor in that deal.
But she also wanted to help the league in general with the ticket sales she was generating on the road, according to Barber.
“When we would go to away games they would always sell out,” Barber explained at an Economic Club of Washington D.C. event. “Unbelievable. So, Atlanta [Dream] would normally have 3,000 [to] 4,000 people. Now they have 17,000 people and they sold 1,000 standing-room-only tickets.”
“She (Clark) said, ‘We’re making all this new revenue and I would like the away team to benefit from that. Could they get a spot bonus?’”
She’s trying to make more money for opposing franchises. To make the league a better place for all women. That’s legendary. To her dismay, however, the WNBA’s CBA wouldn’t allow for it.
“The answer was no,” Barber added, “because of the collective bargaining agreement and the player’s association couldn’t do it.”
Go figure.
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Caitlin Clark – Lifting All Boats
The Fever President would go on to suggest this story is an example of “the heart of Caitlin Clark.”
“That’s the classy, amazing person,” Barber said.
But it’s more than that. It demonstrates her business acumen in trying to uplift those around her. A concept wholly misunderstood by other women in the league who have done their best to try and drag her down.
ESPN commentator Shannon Sharpe explained the concept after Team USA snubbed Caitlin Clark for the Olympic team.
“This girl is box office. I said a rising tide lifts all boats – especially if you’re Team USA and you’re trying to be globalized and there’s an opportunity to globalize the WNBA brand,” he said.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert seemed to acknowledge it as well earlier in the season.
“We’re obviously marketing around all of our players, but I think Caitlin’s lifting everybody,” Engelbert said. “Our arenas are packed, our viewership, I mean…”
She even wanted her rivals to benefit from her popularity.
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