Caitlin Clark: WNBA players fighting for better pay as league grows

On Oct. 31, the WNBA’s current collective bargaining agreement will officially be over. A new deal needs to be reached between the league and the players’ association. It’s turning into a critical time for the WNBA as the league’s popularity continues to explode throughout the sports world.

One of the big issues players will be fighting for is better paychecks from the league. Caitlin Clark, alongside Napheesa Collier, spoke on the topic when speaking to the media ahead of the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday. Yes, off-court deals have gotten lucrative for players but higher pay is still wanted.

“WNBA All-Star capts. Napheesa Collier & Caitlin Clark addressing the media right now,” Annie Costabile of FOS said via X. “Both have fielded questions on the CBA. Clark said players are fortunate to have lucrative deals off the court, but they’re fighting for better W paychecks as the league continues to grow.”

Currently, each WNBA team works with a salary cap of $1,507,100 per team. There is also a required minimum to spend, coming in at $1,261,440. Not a huge difference between the cap and floor, meaning teams are usually working with a tight budget.

Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings is currently the WNBA’s highest-paid player. She signed a three-year deal worth $725,952 back in 2023 for an average annual value coming in at $241. 984. Orgunbowale is the only player to surpass the $700,000 total.

Since the WNBA came to fruition back in 1997, there has never been a lockout. Deals have continually gotten done and seen plenty of basketball played. Maybe there is a first on the way as players are looking to solve what they believe is a major issue.

“It was very constructive dialogue,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said of talks between the league and union during the All-Star break. “I think, you know, obviously part of the process is to go back and forth and listen to the players, they listen to us and the owners who represent the board of governors. I still feel really optimistic that we can get something transformational done by the end. But it’s a process.”

Conversations will continue all the way through Oct. 31, where decisions will have to be made. Until then, the WNBA is hoping to continue the great season they are having. The All-Star game should be another example, even if Clark is not able to participate.