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
Hey Caitlin
Hey girl heeey. LSU alumni here and I want you to know that you’ve been the source of many discussions, some good some bad, a LOT of cussing, and more than a few hallelujahs. I was living in Long Beach, CA when I saw THE very 1st WNBA game played. It cost us $2.00 to get in. No one was there. I tried following up for a while but lost interest. Then YOU and Angel came along. I’m proud of you both, but let’s be real. I had given up on a game I loved as I know many of us did. YOU brought us back. YOU made us care again. YOU reminded us it ain’t over until we say it’s over. Please be safe. Please stay true to you. As someone wrote before me, you may never read this but if you go, we will follow. Fan 4 life, CC. Ride or die. 💛💜 THANK YOU 🐯
I have lived in Iowa for 66 years . Grew up a Hawkeye fan but never watched a woman’s bb game until I started hearing murmurs about something great happening at Iowa . Started watching you midway thru you junior year and was hooked . So proud of you and the character you display on and off the court . Your parents obviously did well by you . No matter where you play , will always be a fan . God bless you Caitlin Clark .
Dear Caitlin,
My days during basketball season, while you were at Iowa and now, start with a call from my 80 year old parents. – “Is it a Caitlin day?” they ask with a smile. The joy you bring us, the fun, the excitement, the pride. Thank you so much!
While I can’t shoot a 3, I LOVE my Shoot more threes sweatshirt. I can try something new, be brave, be kind and resilient – just like you.
Thank you for sharing your love of basketball and doing the right thing with us.
Much love from Minnesota!
Dear Caitlin,
I don’t know if you’ll ever actually read this, but I’ve wanted to say thank you for a long time.
Before you came along, I had never really watched basketball in my life. I wasn’t someone who followed the sport, knew the players, or planned my days around games. Somehow, you completely changed that. You made me want to watch basketball. I started looking forward to games, learning more about the sport, and genuinely becoming a fan.
But what you did for my 9-year-old son means so much more to me.
My son was overweight and had experienced bullying because of it. As his mom, it was incredibly hard to watch him struggle with his confidence and mental health. Then he started watching you play. He became interested in basketball, started wanting to go outside and play, and eventually joined a team himself.
Since then, he has lost a significant amount of weight, become more active, and, most importantly, his mental health and confidence have improved. Basketball gave him something to be excited about and something to work toward. It helped him find a place where he could feel proud of himself. And that all started because watching you made him interested in the game.
I hope you realize that this is the kind of impact you are having on people you will probably never meet.
I also hope you know that there are people watching everything happening around you who care about you as a person, not just as a basketball player. The amount of attention, criticism, scrutiny, and constant discussion surrounding you has become enormous. We’ve watched other young people become incredibly famous very quickly and struggle under that kind of pressure. I think about people like Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes and how differently we now look back at the way young women in the public eye were treated.
Sometimes I worry about you for that reason.
I hope you have people around you who remind you that basketball is something you do—it isn’t all that you are. No career, league, championship, endorsement, or expectation from fans is worth sacrificing your mental health or happiness.
And if there ever comes a day when playing somewhere else is what is best for you, I hope you know that the people who truly became fans because of you aren’t just fans of a jersey or a league.
We’ll follow you.
If you play in Indiana, we’ll watch you in Indiana. If someday you play somewhere completely different, we’ll find you there too. And if you ever decide that basketball needs to take a back seat to your own well-being, the people whose lives you’ve impacted won’t suddenly forget what you gave them.
My family certainly won’t.
You helped introduce me to a sport I never thought I would love. More importantly, you inspired my little boy to pick up a basketball, get active, join a team, become healthier, and start feeling better about himself.
As his mom, there really aren’t words big enough to explain what that means to me.
So among all the noise surrounding you, I hope one small message somehow reaches you:
Thank you, Caitlin.
Thank you for basketball. Thank you for giving my son someone who made him want to get off the couch and try something new. Thank you for the confidence and happiness that came along with it.
Please take care of yourself, protect your peace, and never forget that there are people rooting for Caitlin the person just as much as Caitlin the basketball player.
Wherever life and basketball take you, we’ll be cheering you on.
With love and gratitude,
A mom and two very grateful basketball fans
Hi CC!!
Big fan from Canada.
I’ve travelled to Indy to cheer you on and see your talent in person. The POSITIVE impact you’re making goes far beyond basketball.
Keep doing what you do. Shoot more threes and know you have fans cheering you on from up north!
- B
Caitlin- as I am an Indianapolis resident you have been a joy to watch and embrace. Your scope of “goodness” for all walks of life is immeasurable. I call you my mini Mother Teresa. You are a wonderful human being and your parents and family had a lot to do with that. I’ll follow your career wherever you go.
Caitlin,
Thank you for all you do. No one can possibly know what it’s like to walk in your shoes (well maybe a bit with the Caitlin 1s fresh out the oven, you cooooked on them btw) but no one can truly know the depths of your struggles or the heights of your joy. No matter how much people want to assume and pretend that they do. Only you know what it’s like to be in your spotlight. So don’t let anyone take from you that doesn’t deserve it. Stay true to yourself through all that noise. Water those who water you. Challenge those who challenge you. Reach your goals, grow, and learn with all the grace and integrity you show the world. Keep being you, inspiring the next generation, giving hope and happiness to people of all walks of life. Let no one dim your fire and passion and shine. On and off the court. You’re not this polarizing figure that social media and media try to portray. You CAN and WILL bring people TOGETHER for the LOVE of the game. Never forget what made you want to do this to begin with. You are a legend in the making. From the logo, to the paint, to the locker room. And most importantly, keep giving us some damn good basketball!
Dear Ms. Clark, Thank you! To the little girl who had a dream. We are all so proud of you. I’ve heard you just want to inspire all boys and girls to dream and succeed. You are the perfect role model. I can honestly say I didn’t start watching basketball again until your last year in Iowa. Followed you to Indiana and fell in love with the Fever Team. Coming to the games in Indy I have met some spectacular people and very happy to say I keep in touch with many from others states all because of you and the love of the game. Thank you for your amazing spirit, love for the kids and passion you have in everything you do. You will never meet me nor thousands of fans who follow your journey but we appreciate letting us watch from the sidelines. Cindy Turney October 5, 2026
Hi – didn‘t know WNBA existed because it‘s not my timezone and basketball is not the most popular sport here (although we know the famous NBA players). But since CC put women’s bb in the international spotlight I sacrifice my sleep to see her play. And I even travelled from Austria to Berlin for FIBA games to watch her live. It was an exciting experience. So thank you CC from Austria – Greetings Edeltraud
Hey Caitlin, I’m writing all the Way from Newfoundland, Canada, The Impact you have across the world for not only women’s sports but for people in general, so many kids look up to you and adults just the same (as I am one) Its something to be proud of and an accomplished no one else has ever had, you do it with dignity and grace and with kindness, continue to be YOU and you will continue to make this world a better place
Forever your biggest Fan CC 22💙