Caitlin Clark, a rising star in women’s basketball, has reportedly signed with a European league, leaving the WNBA behind.
The WNBA’s failure to offer competitive salaries has led to Clark potentially earning significantly more overseas, with estimates suggesting she could make up to $700,000 in Europe.
Clark’s departure is expected to have a substantial impact on WNBA viewership, as her games averaged 1.18 million viewers, compared to the league’s overall average of 394,000.
European basketball leagues are poised to benefit from Clark’s popularity, with expectations of sold-out arenas and increased fan engagement across countries like Russia, Turkey, and Spain.
The WNBA’s handling of its top talent has been criticized, with claims that they undervalued Clark, who was making between $76,000 and $78,000 in her rookie season, while European teams are prepared to offer much higher compensation and better player support.