A’ja Wilson Desires One Major “Hope” After Welcoming Caitlin Clark to WNBA: “Not Just a Trend That’s Going to Fizz Out”

The WNBA is on an all-time high this year. Not only are fans anticipating the professional debut of Caitlin Clark but also clamming up to see if Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson would be able to lead the team to something very rare this season yet again. In the same light, the entire world understands the value of this moment. Veterans like Wilson are also coming up with solutions on how to further improve the league. Hence, with a stage like the Time100 Gala, she once again requested the fans to keep the trend going as she did at the Time100 Summit a day ago.

Talking to the People magazine in her red boss suit, A’ja Wilson welcomed Clark to the WNBA. She also nodded at the fact that this upcoming season is more important than any of the previous ones. Certainly, it is bringing transformative numbers before it has even started. Whether you talk about tickets, jerseys, or historical views on TV, this year has already witnessed the league’s future.

Keeping all this in mind, Wilson hoped that the basketball fans would continue investing in women’s sports. She told People, “It’s popping, but I hope it continues. I hope the investment is there to stay and it’s not just a trend that’s going to fizz out.”

The original revolution that started these conversations from the field’s big guns was about the salary disparity between the NBA and the WNBA players. And it is all rooted in the disclosure of the salary that Caitlin Clark will receive over the period of four years with the Indiana Fever. Hence, it is safe to say that she is the epicenter of this debate as well.

How has Caitlin Clark sparked the fire of equal pay?

Equal pay is not a new concept. In fact, many WNBA veterans have been talking about it for a long time. However, while the league did add some fuel to the burning fire, it was still weak. Now that the patrons who follow the sport are talking about it, everyone has found a ground to light their matchsticks. Clark’s salary revealed that she will be earning $338,056 in four years. On the other hand, Victor Wembanyama, the 2023 first-overall pick for the NBA, will get a whopping $55.7 million for four years with the San Antonio Spurs.

Talking about this with People, A’ja added her comments. She said, “It sounds good to talk about it. It sounds good to tweet about it and post about it. But where’s that wallet? Let’s get into it. Let’s dive into it. Let’s invest, go to a game, show out, support each other.”

While the basketball world is turning the tide now and participating in various ways to boost the league, it remains to be seen how the scenery will change from the bird’s-eye view. When comparing it to the NBA, it is essential to realize that the men’s league has been around for a much longer time and given the crowd what they expect. Furthermore, WNBA being a subsidiary of the NBA, the overall result can take some time. With the 2024 season on its way, it will be interesting to see what changes come into sight.