The WNBA is experiencing unprecedented growth in fan engagement and overall visibility, driven significantly by Caitlin Clark’s arrival last year. The Indiana Fever star has captured attention with her extraordinary shooting ability and creative playmaking, fueling a surge of excitement around the league.
Clark’s presence has not only energized fans but also highlighted the stark pay disparity between elite women basketball players and their male counterparts. While the highest WNBA salary tops at just over $249,000 annually, NBA stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earn upwards of $70 million per year. Currently, Clark is still on her rookie contract, making approximately $78,000, with much of her income coming from various endorsements.
Economic Impact and Valuation Surge in Women’s Sports
According to Ben Pickman, a staff writer for The Athletic, Clark’s impact on the league’s financial health is profound. Multiple sources estimate her contribution to the WNBA’s value at over a billion dollars. Supporting this, Sportico reports that WNBA franchise valuations have increased by 180% from 2024 to 2025.
Pickman also emphasized that the rise in popularity and value isn’t exclusive to women’s basketball but extends to other women’s sports like soccer, volleyball, and softball.
“It’s not all to be attributed to Caitlin Clark, but the kind of buzz that she has helped to create has obviously helped increase the value of not just the W but the ecosystem in general,”
—Ben Pickman, Staff Writer
Clark’s Value Compared to Historical Sports Icons
Clark’s effect on the WNBA has drawn comparisons to Michael Jordan’s transformative influence on the NBA. Jordan famously elevated the league’s profile and economic worth during the 1990s. Pickman referenced a landmark economic study that placed Jordan’s value to the NBA at more than $50 million for that era, equivalent to over $120 million today.
“We start the story, and we make an analogy to Michael Jordan,”
Pickman explained.
“In the 1990s, there was this famous study in which two economists said, ‘What was Michael Jordan’s value to the NBA at that time?’ And someone said that basically Jordan generated more than $50 million to other teams, which is more than $120 million today.”
—Ben Pickman, Staff Writer
League Expansion Reflects Growing Market Confidence
The WNBA is attempting to harness Clark’s momentum to boost the league’s growth and valuation, much like the NBA once did with Jordan. The recent introduction of new franchises in Detroit, Philadelphia, and Cleveland—with franchise fees reportedly around $250 million each—demonstrates the league’s rapid financial ascent. This marks a substantial leap compared to the $50 million fee for the Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural season ownership by Warriors owner Joe Lacob.
Challenges Ahead for Sustaining Growth
While Clark remains a central figure in the WNBA’s rise, her season has faced obstacles, including injuries to her quadriceps and groin that have limited her to playing in only half of the Fever’s games. Indiana’s current 9-10 record reflects the team’s struggles without consistent availability from their star player. Clark’s ability to maintain health will be crucial in sustaining the league’s upward trajectory and solidifying her lasting impact on women’s basketball.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why was Caitlin Clark sitting with Taylor Swift?
A. Clark appeared alongside Swift in the same suite at Arrowhead Stadium during the Chiefs’ playoff game against the Houston Texans on Saturday. This marks the first instance they’ve been spotted at a game together. According to Clark, Swift had invited her to attend earlier in the season.
Q. Why is Taylor Swift sitting with Caitlin Clark?
A. Caitlin Clark, a star in the WNBA, was spotted sitting with Swift during the Chiefs’ home game against the Houston Texans. Clark attended the game after saying that Swift had invited her to come watch the Chiefs play.