Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) possesses the ball during the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Caitlin Clark's agent speaks on WNBA’s biggest problem ahead of CBA deadline

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Feb 18, 2025 9:05 AM ET

Recent comments from Fever guard Caitlin Clark's agent crystallized the most pressing issue for the WNBA as it braces for a potential work stoppage following the 2025 season.

The WNBA has never been stronger, but you wouldn't notice looking at the salaries of the league's biggest stars, including Clark, the NCAA's all-time leading scorer who set the WNBA records for points (769) and assists (337) by a rookie in 2024.

According to ESPN's Michele Steele, Clark's agent, Erin Kane, doubted that the phenom could ever be paid "what she's really worth." Kane's comments highlight a universal issue for WNBA players, which she acknowledged.

"She's part of a larger body. They all need to be paid more," said Kane, who Steele noted also lists Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale among her WNBA clients at Excel Sports Management.

Per Spotrac, Clark will earn $78,066 in 2025, the second year of a four-year, $338,056 contract she signed after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Steele pointed to an Indianapolis Star interview with an Indiana University Columbus economist that estimated Clark generated $36 million for the city of Indianapolis and "almost 27 percent of the league's economic activity for the 2024 season."

That discrepancy between what players like Clark are worth and their WNBA pay is why Collier and Liberty forward Breanna Stewart kicked off Unrivaled, the 3v3 women's basketball league in which players earn an average salary of $220,000.

It's also partly why players opted out of their WNBA collective bargaining agreement at the end of the 2024 season, setting Oct. 31 as a deadline to avoid a potential work stoppage.

Kane was optimistic about the league and players reaching an agreement before a stoppage happens, telling ESPN, "I'm very, very hopeful for this CBA negotiation that it will be progressive and move the line forward a lot."

It must. The WNBA has plenty of ground to cover as players such as Clark and three-time MVP A'ja Wilson demand higher earnings.

Kane is right that Clark's WNBA pay will never come close to her worth to the league. But it could at least be in the same stratosphere.

Players hope that's addressed in the next CBA. They have every right to demand more, and the WNBA doesn't have much leverage to say no.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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