Few names resonate as powerfully as Caitlin Clark’s. After a stellar college career at Iowa, where she broke records and captivated audiences, Clark entered the WNBA with the Indiana Fever as the No. 1 draft pick in 2024.
However, the fanfare surrounding her arrival brought into sharp focus the disparity between her on-court impact and her off-court earnings, sparking a conversation about the financial value of star power in the league.
Enter Dr. Ryan Brewer, a man described by the Indianapolis Star as a “renowned valuation guru,” to put things into perspective.
Caitlin Clark’s rookie contract with the Indiana Fever was set at $76,535 for her first year, part of a four-year deal totaling $338,056. While substantial for many, this figure seems almost ludicrously modest when juxtaposed with the economic impact she’s had since joining the league.
Brewer’s calculations to that effect are astonishing.
Calculating Caitlin Clark’s Value
According to the finance professor’s calculation, Caitlin Clark’s value is significant. Very significant. Unprecedented, perhaps in all of sports.
“When IndyStar asked Brewer to put a price tag on Caitlin Clark — what she has meant financially to the WNBA, her city and the country in her rookie season with the Indiana Fever — the numbers were so shocking that Brewer was sure he must have made some mistake,” the outlet writes.
According to Brewer’s numbers, Clark has been responsible for an astonishing 26.5% of the WNBA’s activity this season, including attendance, merchandise sales, and television viewership.
This means that one in every six tickets sold at WNBA arenas can be attributed to her. And her games have not only doubled, but tripled the league’s average viewership.
That is astonishing. LeBron James is most likely not responsible for 1 in 6 NBA tickets sold. Maybe Michael Jordan had a similar impact? Magic and Larry combined might have seen similar valuations, considering they lifted the NBA out of the trash heap at the time.
Brewer’s analysis reveals that Clark’s influence has had an economic impact of over $36 million on Indianapolis alone. It illustrates her capacity to transform not just the game but the local economy.
It’s like purchasing the Mona Lisa from Leonardo da Vinci for a buck and a quarter, then turning around and selling it for $36 million. You’re short-changing da Vinci, just like the WNBA is short-changing Clark.
Not Much The WNBA Can Do Right Now
While Caitlin Clark’s value dictates the need for her to be paid far more than her current salary, the WNBA is stuck. They are almost entirely subsidized by the NBA and are being run into the ground by inept leadership.
Just days after reports surfaced that the league was set to lose a staggering $40 million this season, players threatened a strike next year and demanded their “rightful share of business.”
Your business isn’t making money. Not even close. And you want them to pay you more? Perhaps a few seasons’ worth of Caitlin Clark ratings can turn the tide, but try to get your finances into the black first.
Yes, Clark helped bring unprecedented growth in ticket sales and ratings. But you’re still losing $40-freaking-million.
As we watch Caitlin Clark’s career unfold, her impact on the court is undeniable. Off the court, her situation underscores a broader conversation about the economics of women’s professional sports.
It’s clear that while Clark’s salary might not currently reflect her worth to the Fever and the WNBA, her influence could be the catalyst for change. She might push the league towards a more equitable financial future where star power is not just celebrated but also fairly compensated.
More about:WNBA News
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