Dear WNBA,
Caitlin Clark would never write this letter. She'd never remind you how many tickets she's helped sell, how many people she's brought to television screens, or how much money has followed her into women's basketball. She'd certainly never look at another player's paycheck and take credit for it.
So, as her fans, we'll do the uncomfortable part for her.
You're welcome.
And to be clear, this isn't directed at the overwhelming majority of WNBA players who compete against Caitlin, respect her, and understand exactly what is happening to their sport. It's for the very few who have publicly seemed bothered by the attention, the crowds, the coverage or the fans who followed No. 22 into the league.
We have a question.
Have you looked at your paycheck?
In 2025, the WNBA supermax was about $249,000. In 2026, it's $1.4 million. The team salary cap went from roughly $1.5 million to $7 million. The new CBA represents a transformation in how WNBA players are compensated.
As of the 2026 WNBA season, the new CBA has dramatically changed the salary scale. The supermax cap hit is $1.4 million, with the regular maximum at $1.19 million. Her Hoop Stats
The top salaries/cap in 2026:
| Player | Team | 2026 salary |
|---|---|---|
| A’ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces | $1.4M |
| Napheesa Collier | Minnesota Lynx | $1.4M |
| Kelsey Mitchell | Indiana Fever | $1.4M |
| Ezi Magbegor | Seattle Storm | $1.25M |
| Kahleah Copper | Phoenix Mercury | $1.20M |
| Marina Mabrey | Toronto Tempo | $1.20M |
| Alyssa Thomas | Phoenix Mercury | $1.20M |
| Sabrina Ionescu | New York Liberty | $1.19M |
| Breanna Stewart | New York Liberty | $1.19M |
| Arike Ogunbowale | Dallas Wings | $1.19M |
There are several others tied at $1.19M, including Jackie Young, Brittney Griner, Jonquel Jones, Allisha Gray, Kayla McBride, and others.
No, Caitlin Clark didn't do that alone. The union negotiated it. Generations of women built this league. Today's stars earned it.
But let's not pretend the timing is irrelevant.
The WNBA spent years asking for more attention, more television viewers, more ticket buyers, more corporate investment, and more mainstream sports fans.
Then Caitlin Clark showed up.
And she brought them.
We watched it happen in Iowa City, where women's basketball became appointment television and sold-out arenas became normal. We watched it happen in Indianapolis, where Fever games became events and No. 22 helped create an economic ripple that stretched well beyond the arena. We watched Nike make one of the largest investments ever in a women's basketball player and then build an entire signature brand around her.
And most importantly, we watched it happen everywhere the Fever traveled.
That's the part worth remembering.
The Clark Effect didn't only make money for Caitlin Clark.
It made money for women's basketball.
That's how sports economics work. More people watching means more valuable broadcasts. More people attending means more valuable franchises. More merchandise, sponsorships and cultural relevance mean more revenue.
And eventually, more revenue means bigger paychecks.
Which brings us back to those few people who have occasionally seemed annoyed that Caitlin gets too much attention.
We understand. The circus can probably be exhausting. Not every question needs to be about Caitlin Clark. Not every accomplishment by another great player needs to be viewed through the prism of No. 22.
But attention isn't a finite resource.
Caitlin didn't take your spotlight.
She brought a bigger spotlight.
And now the league's best players can make $1.4 million instead of $249,000.
Caitlin would never connect those dots herself. That's part of what makes her Caitlin. She talks about her teammates. She praises her opponents. She talks about growing the game. When people have used her name to attack other players, she's explicitly rejected it. She once put it simply: “I'm just here to play basketball.”
We know, Caitlin.
So we'll handle this one.
To the WNBA players getting the biggest raises in league history: Congratulations. You earned them.
To the generations of women who built the WNBA: Thank you.
And to the handful still wondering why everybody keeps talking about that Hawkeye from Iowa...
Check the attendance.
Check the ratings.
Check the revenue.
Then check your direct deposit.
You're welcome.
With love,
Caitlin Clark fans everywhere.
109 comments
Thank CC. You have brought so much enjoyment and fire to women’s basketball, and I, along with my family (wife and three girls) will forever be fans, watching and following your games and career. My youngest girl (2.5 years) has her ‘basketball shirt’ (a CC shirt, obviously) and her favorite thing to watch on tv is a Caitlin Clark basketball game. I couldn’t have asked for a better person for her to love to watch, and I don’t say that to make you feel the pressure of being a role model, but just to let you know how much joy you’ve brought our family. Please know that we see you, and we appreciate you. Your grace under pressure, your class and maturity in the face of scrutiny and chaos, those are things to be admired and we do. Please take care, be yourself and Go Hawks!
I live in Ohio and a die hard Buckeye fan. When the lady Buckeyes were doing so well I started watching more and then we played Iowa and I never saw a player like you. Your passion for the game is amazing. Started watching Iowa games just to see you play. When you were drafted I became an Indiana Fever Fan. NEVER watched the WNBA before you cam along. While I love the 3s, your passing simply is amazing!! You and Kelsey are truly such an awesome duo and love all the women on the team especially Sofie. Then I started seeing all the things you do outside of basketball and I value you more as a person then just a player. At 24, you handle all the crap thrown at you with style and grace. Thank you for showing us what a true athlete is on and off the field. AWESOME!!!
Appreciate u, CC – keep pushing 💎!
Our family in Augusta, Ga loves to watch Caitlin Clark play basketball. It’s evident how much she loves the sport of basketball, not the money not the accolades. Her passion for it reminds us of the great Michael Jordan. Applaud her parents for raising such a respectful remarkable young lady that also gives back to her community. Keep doing what you do Caitlin!
Im from germany and never watched any bball – CC changed that which is crazy for me. hearing people call all her fans (me included) racist is nothing more than funny cause it reveals the real racists instantly.
those who call out racism in this case ARE THE RACISTS who are destroying what is left..
fun to watch tho from here tbh
greetz from germany
Now we have become enthusiasts, excited about every game, holding our breath with difficult shots, and absolutely loving every minute of it.
Yet, after seeing the travesty of game, three of the playoffs, we are no longer interested in watching anything except when Caitlin is on. She is everything I wished I could have been at her age. Always pleasant, praising others on her team and even other teams, and avoiding nasty competition. She shows tremendous maturity for a 24-year-old. I can tell you that neither of us would have been able to handle the situation that she’s in when we were at age.
Once you get to your late 80s and even 90, there’s not much that becomes tremendously exciting. It’s great to still enjoy life. It’s great to be blessed with the ability to live so long, and that is usually enough, yet now we’re continually excited about Caitlin. We follow every YouTube story about her. We watch when they show her playing golf. We watch when they show her visiting sick children in the hospital. We are proud of her, even though we had nothing to do with her fame, her skill, or her attitude. I applaud her parents for having raised such a responsible person. And I pray that the WNBA will come to its senses and treat her more fairly. She makes us smile. She’s fun and funny and we love to see her interact with other team members like Sophie. Before Caitlin, I never heard of any of these people, and now I care about them. Now, even though I will never watch a game in which she doesn’t play and I’m shocked at the unprofessional nastiness of the players who treat her badly, I remain interested in the WNBA. I will read their news, but as I said, I will never watch another WNBA game unless Caitlin is playing.
Había pasado mucho tiempo desde la última vez que sentí esta emoción por el baloncesto, pero gracias a Caitlin Clark me he vuelto a enamorar por completo de este deporte. Verla en la cancha es algo sencillamente electrizante: la visión de juego que tiene, los triples desde la distancia y la pasión pura que transmite en cada jugada hacen que cada partido sea un espectáculo imperdible. Es increíble cómo una sola jugadora puede devolverte esa chispa y hacer que vuelvas a disfrutar y celebrar el baloncesto con la misma intensidad de siempre.
Desde CHILE 🇨🇱
Dear Caitlin,
Whenever the noise gets too loud, come over here and read these comments. You may not feel it yet, within the W, but soon you will. The change you brought is inevitable and women’s basketball as a sport, is better for it.
In behalf of our daughters and future players of the sport, thank you.
Caitlin you don’t deserve any of the hate you’re getting. The media fuels it and those who feel that resentment you know who you are. Give it a rest. Caitlin hasn’t badmouthed anyone and neither should any of you. Play basketball and blow all the other noise off.
Thank you for stating the truth and standing up for our girl CC , those who knows her story understand her and we stand with her always ♥️