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
First, simply, we love you Caitlin. Always have, always will. You are our girl. We have your back. Whenever you are down, please come home so we can surround you with our light. You deserve all the good things in life. You will continue to get them. If you’re not Iowa, you just wouldn’t understand.
Almost four years ago, I watched you hit that buzzer-beater against Indiana and somehow, you made me fall in love with basketball all over again.
I’ve been supporting you from Chile 🇨🇱 ever since and I’m so proud to have watched you accomplish so much, especially that gold in Berlin. It was such an honor to finally see you up close, baby GOAT ☝🏼🤍
This is only the beginning. There’s still so much to fight for and you have more than enough talent to get there. So please, never change your attitude. That’s what will always make you Caitlin Clark.
THANK YOU. 💛
Dear CC,
Energy and determination. Those are the two words I would use to describe what it has been like watching you, from your Iowa years to your Gainbridge years.
Three generations of our family have huddled around the TV, losing our voices and our minds as you sank buckets that seemed otherworldly. My daughters were just seven and four when they became transfixed by basketball because of you, and learned the true definition of a ‘dime’.
Eventually, watching you on TV wasn’t enough. Three generations of us traveled from Colorado to sit courtside at Gainbridge and cheer for you and the Fever. That trip meant more to me than you could have known. I was battling breast cancer, and my family wanted to give me something joyful to look forward to in the middle of one of the hardest chapters of my life.
And now, just two months after beating breast cancer, I keep coming back to those same two words: energy and determination.
You gave our family so much joy, but you gave me something more during a time when I really needed it. Watching the way you compete, get knocked down, get back up, and keep going reminded me that I could do the same.
Thank you, Caitlin. From three generations of very loud Fever fans in Colorado, and from one mom who carried a little of your energy and determination with her while she fought her own fight.
Jen, your Colorado CC fan
CAITLIN
I started watching a sport because of you whrn you were in college. My husband showed me a clip of this amazing player. Then we started warching all of your games. To this day we still watch every game you play. I will always watch you. Because of you I convinced my son to tour Iowa and now hes a freshman in IC. Thank you for all you have done.
Jami
Caitlin Clark made me more interested in women’s sports. Watching her Iowa highlights and following her to the WNBA has been nothing short of incredible. The last time an athlete made me feel this emotional about a loss or win was Messi. She has absolutely changed the face of the game.
I hope she keeps raising her head up every game day and sinks those tough shots only she knows how to sink.
Love, from Nigeria.
Caitlyn, you are delightful! My daughter graduated from Iowa prior to your arrival. We love all things Hawkeye. Seeing you on a BB court is magical. Seeing you off the court is even better. Never lose that sparkle 💖 You are truly an inspiration to those whom will follow you . It’s an example you should be very proud of. Your fans are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to follow your journey. Your strong, your beautiful inside and out and we see you. So just as others have said before me, thank you for your example, your character, your hardworking and just being you! Much respect!!
Wow. You are the most impactful woman’s athlete of all time. You were raised right and you always take the high road. I love watching you play ball but what I love the most, is how you won’t give in to anyone. You won’t get involved with all of the crap. You are just here for basketball just like Michael Jordan. We know you take on a lot but just know We are all so proud of you and will support you!!! Just thanks for being you!!
-Audrey Williams
I have watched you from your days at U of I, and packing arenas everywhere you and the team played! You just knew what anyone was watching the nights your college games were on, everyone was glued to their tv’s! Then you made that big move to the pros. I had never once turned on one of their games, but was not going to miss watching you , and boy, I was hooked! I made my husband a fan of the Fever too! Great and wonderful people come from Iowa, keep being who you are,don’t let them change you. You have a great and wonderful team , let’s keep them together going forward!
Thank you CC. For showing our youth and adults as well how to be respectful, kind, and lead with a grace most 24 year olds don’t have. For everything you’ve done for women’s sports, for Iowa, for the University of Iowa and everyone else. Your impact is high and never forgotten. Keep being you 22. We love you.
It’s incredibly difficult to put into words exactly what Caitlin Clark & the Iowa Women’s Basketball Team has meant to me over the years. As someone who grew up in Cedar Rapids & still works/resides in the state, I have always had a love & sense of pride in our Hawkeyes. I have specifically followed Coach Lisa Bluder, Coach Jan Jensen, & the rest of Iowa WBB for years, as I have always loved the culture, positivity, & team-first attitude they all have. There isn’t anything I can say about CC that hasn’t already been said – she is a generational player, one of one. She has rewritten all the records, transformed the game completely, brought more eyes (& money!) to the WNBA, & best of all – she’s done so with absolute class, grace, & humility. That’s what I appreciate the most about her. Despite her popularity, despite the negativity from opponents & their fans, despite the racism & disparaging remarks, despite the many attempts to take away her shine, she ALWAYS rises above & does the right thing. As a high school teacher, former volleyball coach (for 27 years), & as a girl dad, I cannot thank her enough for the example she has set for all of us. It obviously cannot be easy, but she handles herself with such poise & integrity. They say character is who you are in the dark, but CC has the biggest spotlight in the world on her 24/7 & her character ALWAYS shows through. As a fan & lover of all things Iowa WBB, I just want to say THANK YOU for everything she’s done & everything she’ll continue to do. Not only is she a phenomenal basketball player, but she’s also a phenomenal person. She entertains & inspires millions of people around the world, continues to be a positive role model for little girls & boys everywhere, & represents our little state of Iowa in the greatest way possible. She is the best of us. GO HAWKS!