Can Caitlin Clark Be for WNBA What Lionel Messi Is for MLS? Andrew Schulz Drops Bold Take

After the WNBA draft, the one sentiment that was echoing was the pay disparity between the NBA and the WNBA players. Though the issue is real, Caitlin Clark is not being dependent only on the salary but is rather redefining the financial heights for a female basketball player. She signed a reported 8-year $28 million deal with Nike, as per WSJ, making Clark the biggest endorsement holder in women’s basketball.

Speaking of, Andrew Schulz & Charlamagne Tha God shared their take on the Comedy Shorts YouTube channel. Both agreed on the pay disparity issue and credited Clark that she could be the change just like Michael Jordan was for the NBA. And not just Jordan the comparison also was made with soccer superstar Lionel Messi.

It was said during the podcast that” Caitlin Clark will be good in Indiana she’ll act like how Messi is for American soccer.” Andrew Schulz & Charlamagne agreed to it and the latter even said how the tickets for Indiana Aces are already skyrocketing. Also, how other teams are shifting to different venues even some consisting of 10,000 seats to accommodate more fans for the Caitlin Clark show.

In June 2023, Messi dropped the bombshell news that he was a free agent. The rumors were endless for the 8x Ballon d’Or winner and he put the rumors to rest when he signed with MLS side Inter Miami CF. According to Forbes Inter Miami’s ticket sales in particular have gone up by 150 times since the start of the 2023 season.

The Caitlin Clark on the WNBA

Clark’s new deal with Nike puts her on a list alongside LeBron James, Allen Iverson, and 5 other NBA Rookies who have signed with the sports apparel juggernauts. The Fever is already selling its tickets at almost triple the cost as in previous years, thanks to their No. 1 draft pick of the year. They are sure kicking off its 2024 season on a high note.

Apart from these numbers, Indy has also seen a rise in the average sales front. In just a few hours of her official announcement with the team, Caitlin Clark added a whopping 182% increase in average tickets sold. In fact, Clark’s jersey was the most favored of all time, almost selling out within an hour of the draft night at the BMA itself.

It is really interesting to see how the WNBA is now finally being recognized by the fans. Thanks to this draft class, women’s sports will reach new never seen before heights, and will definitely pave the way for youngsters to take up basketball.