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
Si algún día viajo a USA no va a ser para conocer Disney, va a ser para verte jugar. Tu juego es super entretenido y único.
Dear Caitlin,
In 2024, I lost my dad after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was my best friend, and he loved the game of basketball his entire life. He played it, studied it, followed it—and even refereed until he died that September. You’ve gotta really love basketball to be a referee until the end, right? lol.
Basketball was one of the many ways we bonded. We talked about it all the time, and toward the end of his life, we talked about you a lot.
I had stopped watching the WNBA sometime after girlhood, but then I heard about you during your junior year at Iowa. Suddenly, I remembered how much I loved this game—and how much I loved watching women play it.
One of the last pictures I ever sent my dad was from your preseason game against the Dallas Wings during your rookie year. I told him I wished he were there with me—a feeling I know all too well now.
There’s something about watching you play that makes me feel a little closer to him. He would have loved watching your game evolve.
And now, I get to watch you with my 8-year-old daughter. She’s tall, beautiful, and seems to have a natural ability on the hardwood. I sometimes joke that my dad is up there playing through her, guiding her steps. It feels pretty special that the game he and I shared has become something I now get to share with her.
I hope you keep doing what you do. I hope you never let the hate take up a minute of your time or an iota of your energy. Because what you’re doing reaches far beyond the court. You’re reminding girls—and some of us grown women, too—why we fell in love with this game in the first place.
Your purpose is bigger than basketball. Thank you for reminding me how much this game means to me—and for giving me another way to feel close to my dad.
Dear Caitlin,
I grew up playing six-on-six basketball in Iowa — the real kind, with three forwards and three guards who were allowed only 2 dribbles and couldn’t cross the center line, a game built on sharp cuts, crisp passes, and pure hustle. We filled the small-town gyms on Friday nights, and for a lot of us girls, that was the biggest stage we ever got. The sport was ours, but it felt contained, almost private. We loved it fiercely, yet we always wondered if the wider world would ever really see what women’s basketball could be. Then you came along. You didn’t just score; you made people pay attention. You filled arenas that used to sit half-empty. You made little girls in places like mine dream bigger than the six-player rules we once lived by. You showed them (and us) that the game could be loud, thrilling, and impossible to ignore. From those of us who once guarded a half-court and never crossed the center line, thank you. And thank you for carrying the spirit of Iowa basketball into a new era and making the whole country fall in love with it the way we always had. You didn’t just change the sport. You made sure the rest of the world finally saw what we always knew was there. With deep respect and gratitude,
A former six-on-six player from Iowa
Let me say that as a life long basketball fanatic, I never really watched women’s basketball except reruns of six on six with prolific scoring. Then came CC I lived in New York at the time my entire upstate gym now lives Iowa women’s basketball. Fast forward never saw a WNBA game until CC showed up! Appointment TV again. Plus I now love many players and many teams. I’m a Hawkeye and a W fan along with millions of guys who now see and respect the women’s game. I even love Angels game and that’s a lot for a true Hawkeye. Thank her as you compete with her, try and crush her she will try and crush you. That’s competition at its best. But respect her as she respects you. Thanks CC and Kelsey please stay in Indy!!
Caitlin!
For a moment a 24 year old young woman you handle all this adversity like a champ, not sure I could ever be as graceful as you!
I started watching the W when it started in 1997 but lost interest after a few years, then you came along and brought watching college bb exciting! I found myself watching women’s college basketball in the tournament. Then you came to the W and I found myself setting up my day around when you and the Fever played. I genuinely felt like you brought me back to being a fan again! It’s been great to watch you success but make me really sad that people want to hate you just because of your talent.
Thank you for being the mature 24 year old that you have been forced to be! I personally would love to see the 24 year old that those close to you say is goofy and fun!
Keep doing you and again thank you 🙏🏽 for all the bb fun!
Anita Rodriguez
Caitlin, thank you for the joy you have brought to so many people. Millions of us have found ourselves smiling, cheering, reconnecting with the game, and sometimes simply having a brighter day because of the way you play it.
I admire your maturity and composure, especially given everything that has come with your success. But I equally admire that you never seem to take yourself too seriously. Hold onto that. There is something special about being able to carry enormous expectations and still laugh, be goofy, compete fiercely, and remain yourself.
And keep gardening! It really is therapy. There is something about putting your hands in the dirt, watching things grow, celebrating the successes, and laughing at the spectacular failures that brings you back to center. We should compare notes someday. I’ve had plenty of both. 😂
Your parents also deserve tremendous credit. They clearly gave you a foundation that has allowed you to become not only an extraordinary basketball player, but a genuinely good human being. The way you treat people, carry yourself, compete, laugh, and continue to show gratitude says a great deal about the people who helped shape you.
It has been incredible to watch what you have done for the game. You have helped open doors, fill arenas, bring generations together, and remind people how much joy sports can create. That matters far beyond wins, records, or headlines.
I’ll leave you with something I return to when life feels heavy and others seem determined to dim the light. These words originated with Kent M. Keith’s Paradoxical Commandments and later became closely associated with Mother Teresa after a version was displayed at her children’s home in Calcutta. They’ve stayed with me for years
“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway."
With much Gratitude,
Kathi
Dear CC,
As we close out another season, one fraught with more ups and downs than the roller coasters at Cedar Park, I’m writing to thank you.
Thank you for the thrills and for showing us how to bounce back after spills!
Thank you for your thoughtfulness toward your fan base; we love you.
Thank you for modeling what it truly means to be a team player through and through.
Thank you for lifting people up when you could so very easily use your voice to tell it like it really is (like when your teammates miss your passes and YOY get the TO).
Thank you for being the kind of role model that the next generation of young athletes desperately needs. Character always wins!
Thank you for representing Team USA with professionalism and grace, even though Jackie wouldn’t pass to you except that one time. 👀
Thank you for always taking the high road, lifting all boats despite the tempestuous seas, and even making a vet like Kelsey better. 🥹
Thank you for giving back; I especially love that you gave your Iowa team their C1s. I tried yesterday to buy a pair of the Iowa ones for my sister-in-law, whose kids went to Iowa when you were there, to wear when she coaches her girls’ BB team this season, but, alas, they sold out while I was ordering! 🥳
Thank you, Caitlin, for being you, something special to see here. Unapologetically, authentically, passionate YOU.
I pray you’ll get some rest and relaxation. Come to WI and golf the Wandering Springs course that used to be our family’s corn field. You’ll love it!
Oh, and go on a Friday do you can have the fried perch at the Club House; you’ll be glad you did. I promise.
Blessings,
Barbara
Dear Caitlin,
Thank you for bringing back the joy of watching basketball. We’ve been following your career since Iowa, and it’s hard to put into words how much excitement you bring every time you step on the court.
My partner, who never had much interest in basketball, now asks me, “When are the Fever playing?” and “What did Caitlin do?” That probably says it all. 😊
You’re also such an amazing role model for our kids — not just as a basketball player, but in the way you compete, carry yourself, and stay true to who you are.
There’s this incredible fire and fearlessness in you, and when you play, it just comes alive. It’s such a joy to watch.
Thank you for everything you bring to the game. ❤️
Dear Caitlin,
Idk if you’ll read this, but I hope and pray you will.
I’m one of your million fans across the globe. I’m from the Philippines where Basketball is well known and supported but is dominated by men. As I watched you, (can’t remember what year exactly maybe ’24 or ’23) I learned to love you and your game. I got hooked in the W and learned to adore and love other women in the league as well because of you, especially other FEVER girls and I learned about Kate Martin and the HAWKEYES. Been a fan of them and looking forward fot the upcoming NCAA season. 💛🖤
I do not play ball or anything but I love your merch and the Caitlin 1s and am hoping to have one someday. 😍
C, please do continue being yourself on and especially off the court. You made me “feel” and you amazes me of your on court aura. Your vision in the game and all. Idk how to describe it. I just LOVE it. Continue to be “Caitlin”, you inspire many, your smile, and I so love your goofiness.
Take care C, I will see you, when I see you.
Nothing special here, just your fan from everywhere,
Hiraya_Agape from X
Never really watched the W until I watched Caitlins college highlights & Caitlin being drafted, Now she is my favourite player in the world! The eyes and attention you have brought to the sport, in the magnitude that you have, is something I’ve never seen in my life. Being from Scotland 🏴 i’ve stayed up really late countless nights to watch you, the joy you bring and watching you succeed & grow is phenomenal, your 3 point shooting is something most men couldn’t do! Got a pair of the blue Caitlin 1s today, and they are insane, the little details on the shoe are incredible, they look that good that I don’t want to wear them and I just want to cherish them, I even have lots of Hawkeyes gear too and root for them! My dream is to attend a game and watch Caitlin one day. Keep being you Caitlin, and ignore all the hate, you are an amazing young woman with all the potential and the whole world is in your hands. Lots of love 💛🖤