With the year WNBA had in 2024, it was no surprise players opted out of CBA. “The world has evolved since 2020, and we cannot afford to stand still,” Nneka Ogwumike had made clear. The league and the players have a year to revisit salaries and long-term benefits as conversations around the pay gap grow. Adding more to the need for changes now and reasoning the why was Caitlin Clark’s agent, Erin Kane.

In a recent ESPN interview, Kane expressed that brand deals aside, W players need to be paid for their game. Yes, they do a good job building their brand on social media but their sport is what it is centered at. “None of it is anything without how they play. So how do we get them paid appropriately for that? And so that’s the big impact. And that’s what we’re pushing towards,” she said. 

The 2024 season was clear evidence of the impact W’s games were having. There were millions tuning in and 9 thousand making attendance average– up by 46% from last year. The league reports a total of 2,353,735, in attendance which was the highest in 22 years. So while the players are delivering on their part, Kane believes they need to be compensated equally. “What I don’t understand is why today’s players are being held hostage by business decisions made by league executives and front office members,” she adds.

Kane notes how today’s players, including Caitlin Clark, are stuck dealing with the fallout from decisions made years ago. “They weren’t even playing AAU or even younger at this point,” Kane said, driving home the point that these athletes had little say in the league’s past financial struggles. Yet, they’re expected to ball out at an elite level with fewer resources than their NBA peers. It’s a tough pill to swallow.

WNBA salaries are capped at a fraction of what NBA players earn, and endorsement opportunities are limited compared to their male counterparts. For example, the average WNBA salary is around $147,745, while NBA rookies start at over $12.6 million in 2024. While Caitlin Clark’s rookie contract maxes out at around 76,000, her counterpart, Victor Wembernyama made 184 times that. Even with endorsements—Clark has deals with Nike and State Farm—the disparity is glaring. 

Let’s be real—the WNBA’s money issues aren’t new. For years, the league has been playing catch-up, even as stars like A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart have turned it into must-watch basketball. Kane’s comments come at a crucial time, with the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) around the corner. There’s hope for change, but as Kane put it, “Today’s players should not be penalized for a lack of investment over time.”

A’ja Wilson dished out 1000 points in a single season while Caitlin Clark set WNBA records for most assists both in a season (337) and in a game (19). Angel Reese would post 15 consecutive double-doubles as Breanna Stewart became the fastest player to score 5,000 career points. Players are putting in the effort and all they demand is a fair share.

W is seeing new numbers in revenue already with new media rights 6 times more than their current. While Kane speaks for all W players, she isn’t forgetting to lay emphasis on the rookie who played a massive part.

Kane unsure of Caitlin Clark receiving her worth, but hopeful for CBA

The WNBA, now heading toward its 30th year, has been a consistent force. But Clark‘s emergence was like a spark that set everything ablaze. Her play, paired with her connection to fans, has added a new level of energy to the game.

Her agent, Erin Kane, has been by her side through it all. “Her impact is undeniable,” Kane says. “It’s not just about her. It’s about what she’s done for the entire player body and future players.”

The numbers speak for themselves. Economists estimate that Clark alone was responsible for nearly 27% of the WNBA’s league-wide economic activity in 2024. Ticket sales, merchandise, and TV ratings all saw a significant boost thanks to her presence. In Indianapolis, her economic impact reached an impressive 36 million. Considering the magnitude, Kane doesn’t believe the 2024 ROTY is going to get paid her worth. But she can vouch for more than present and not just for her. 

“I’m very very hopeful for this CBA negotiation that it will be progressive,” she adds. The players’ union is hoping for an improved system and an equity-based model. The league has a year to come to agreement.