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
Caitlin-
I’ve always been a sports nut. Baseball and football mostly, but NBA back in the days of MJ. Had never watched the W. My daughter graduated HS in 2020, with school closing down the week after her HS basketball team played at the state tournament. So I understand the ideas of the empty gym, the lack of in person fans, it was a tough time for your class, missing out on some of those senior moments. I started watching you in 2020 and followed you to the W. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you play, have come to love KM and AB along the way. This season was so special to watch you and your teammates. It was sad to see it end. I have a student in class that is a super fan of yours and I enjoy talking with her about your games. I know next season will be cinema. Love you as the maestro. Good luck!
Hey Caitlin,
Sending love from Uganda. I stay up till 3am local time here just to watch you give hoopers that work. Get back in the lab this off season and come back even stronger next season. I’ll try to get my hands on CC1s when they become available here .
Caitlin-What you have done for women’s basketball is beyond words. Watching the steady climb from high school to college to the W….the numerous achievements you accomplished…what a career for someone so young. You carry yourself so well, you remember those that have supported you along the way as well as the young ones who look up to you. I cannot imagine being your age and being under the microscope like you are. From this side of the TV/or from games, I feel you have stayed true to yourself. With social media, there can be so so much negativity. I chose to look at the positive. Personally, you have given myself and a group of my nurse friends many amazing moments by you being your energetic, skillful, and playful self. The stories my co-workers have from going to the NCAA tourney games in the Twin Cities, another group of us following the Iowa men & women to DSM, our group chat that is named “Hawkeye Cheerleaders” where we talk a lot of women’s basketball….you have given us these memories and relationships. I fully realize the W is full of very talented athletes. What gets my attention is the playful yet very skilled athlete, one that chooses not to continuously berate others while trying to make themselves look better, one that plays for the love of the sport. The StudBudz…I absolutely love love them and don’t think I would have ever come to know of them except thru you. Haliburton is going to be in Ames this week. The relationship he has with you has had me watching the NBA. My husband and I are going to go watch the preseason game with the Pacers and Lynx at Hilton. The affect you have had on memories and relationships being made….those are bragging rights as well as the ones achieved on the court. You being at GameDay last weekend made so many of us Iowans proud!!!! Thank you for the stupendous memories and the amazing relationships you inadvertently helped create. I wish you nothing but the very best!!!
Kris
Dear Caitlin,
I hope you read these letters whenever you feel down. I know you have a lot resting on your shoulders, and you’re so young to carry such a heavy burden. I appreciate you willing to come out and play your hardest game after game despite all of the noise. You’re an inspiration to children and adults alike. You seriously bring so much joy to those who watch you. We love you because you are an amazing basketball player but also because you are an amazing person! Thank you for being you, and we’ll always support you!
💙Kat
Dear Caitlin
Caitlin! I don’t think I can put into words what you mean to me. I am in my mid 30s now and didn’t even LIKE sports my whole life until my partner told me I’d want to watch this college basketball game because a WOMAN was about to break the all-time college scoring record. He knew I’d love that. And I did. I was so mad that I hadn’t started watching you before. I’ve never been so captivated by an athlete. (I also consider you a performer, as you’ve said yourself.)
You have captured the world’s imagination. YOU and only YOU, despite what people try to take credit for. Then imagine my excitement to learn you were coming to play basketball in my city. I’d never been to a single professional basketball game. And there I was at a pre-season game experiencing the same feeling I get when I see Taylor Swift in concert. THERE SHE IS!!!
I don’t remember if you won that game. The wins and loses fade into the background when you look at an arena full of people of all ages and backgrounds there to see the Fever. We sat next to a woman who had driven from Virginia by herself. It was also her first basketball game. She knew next to nothing about the game (like me) but had traveled solo just to see you anyway.
That’s just what you do. There’s no one like you and never will be. It’s the fire within you on the court and the way you carry yourself with grace off the court. Lord knows most people wouldn’t last a second in your shoes.
Fast forward to today when we, after being on a waitlist for two years, are season ticket holders. You made me fall in love with basketball which has brought me even closer to my partner. He loves being able to talk sports with me now. Here I am, decked out in Fever and CC gear and arguing with people online about basketball 😂 Everyone, including my coworkers, knows I am a Fever fan! 5 years ago me wouldn’t recognize me now. Now I’m even watching other women’s sports because of you.
I’m a decade older than you, but you still inspire me to be my best self. And I’m not the only one. Win or lose (though we love winning), you have a legacy no one can erase. It’s so powerful to see grown men and boys even wearing yours and your teammates’ jerseys. In line to meet Lexie, a man told me he never thought he’d wear a woman’s jersey but that Lexie was his favorite type of player.
We have you to thank for that. Thank you for sharing your talent and sharing the spotlight and for your grace and thoughtfulness and humor and generosity. You have made fans for life in Indianapolis. We love you, Caitlin! 💛
Caitlin, my husband and I watched you with the Hawkeyes! With each game we were rooting for you at every game! When you decided to go to the WNBA we knew we were going to follow you there! My dad who is 89 loves watching you also as Jay and I are in our 60’s. We are yelling at the TV when we saw things happen to you…it hurt us to see you hurt. We just want you to know we love you and wish you the best but we hope you will stay with the Fever. I wear the blue jersey for each game! Can’t wait to see you play next season!!
You are the reason I watch the WNBA. The organization is so lucky to have you! Thank you.
Hey Caitlin, fellow Iowa and Dowling grad here. It’s been such a pleasure watching you flourish on the court and represent Iowa with the kindness and grace you show off the court over the past number of years. I’ve been away from Iowa for 25 years now, it’s hard to explain but watching how you conduct yourself reminds me of Iowa and how I grew up. My wife, who doesn’t really like sports, is more glued to the TV when you play than anyone I know. My entire family just wants to thank you for everything you’ve done for Iowa and the sport of basketball and everything you still have left to do.
I have been watching you play since 2020 and you have much me such JOY. It has been a joy to watch you, season after season, regardless the end result. You play with such joy! You bring joy to your teammates! We can see how much your joy impacts the court, the world of basketball, and the world at large. I’m a teacher, aunt, and parent. I share your example in all three areas because your influence knows no bounds. You are someone I hope my students learn from, my nieces emulate, and my boys are challenged by. Thank you for the years of joy watching you. I cannot wait for more!
Caitlin – I have wanted to get a message to you somehow for so long but never knew how or if anything would reach you. Hopefully you see this and all of the other messages of encouragement that people are sending your way! You remind me of my daughter in so many ways and I can’t help but be proud of you whenever play! And just being you to be honest. I think that’s what people love the most about you Caitlin…you don’t try to be anyone but yourself! You are an AMAZING basketball player and the way you handle yourself in this great big game called ‘life’ is quite remarkable. Your parents must be so proud for so many reasons! I can only imagine how hard it can be sometimes dealing with the pressure from the outside world but please know this….for every ‘hater’, there are 1000’s that support you!! You are loved Caitlin! By people you will never meet but who will continue to support you and send you positive vibes whenever and however they can!! Keep being you! Focus on the things you can control and don’t ever lose your JOY! Enjoy your off season and we’ll all be anxiously waiting to see you in 2027!!