No Iowa women's basketball player will wear No. 22 again.

That's since the Hawkeyes will retire Caitlin Clark's jersey in an in-arena ceremony on Feb. 2 when Iowa takes on USC at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

During her 4 years with this system, Clark rewrote each the Iowa and NCAA record books. Last winter, she became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer, the foremost colleges' all-time leading scorer and the boys's and girls's Division I all-time leading scorer in a 17-day span. During her profession, Clark also broke the three-pointer record in a single season, participated in two national championships, was a four-time AP All-American and was named National Player of the Year twice.

However, all of this reflects only a part of Clark's legacy, as her influence was visible and felt in the thrill surrounding every game she played. Iowa broke countless attendance, merchandise and tv records. According to ESPN, the 2024 national championship between the Hawkeyes and Gamecocks was the most-watched basketball game (men's or women's college or skilled) since 2019, averaging 18.9 million viewers and peaking at 24.1 million viewers, a 90 percent increase in comparison with the 2023 title game.

“I am forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa has a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball,” Clark said in an announcement. “It means a lot to me to receive this honor and celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the attic and see my jersey next to those I have admired for so long.”

To the rafters.

2.2.25@CaitlinClark22 X #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/Qjq1Y1VfrZ

— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) December 18, 2024

“Caitlin Clark not only redefined excellence on the field, but inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination,” said Athletics Director Beth Goetz. “Her remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the University of Iowa and the world of women’s basketball.”

If Clark's No. 22 goes down, she’s going to turn out to be the third women's basketball player to have their numbers honored at Iowa, joining Michelle Edwards' No. 30 and Megan Gustafson's No. 10.

After Clark moved to the skilled ranks – where she made first-team All-WNBA as a rookie with the Indiana Fever – the Hawkeyes entered a transitional season. Shortly after last 12 months, long-time head coach Lisa Bluder retired, leaving her long-time assistant head coach Jan Jensen in charge. Iowa, now led by junior forward Hannah Stuelke and senior transfer guard Lucy Olsen, opened the season by winning its first eight games. However, the Hawkeyes have lost two of their last three contests, falling to Tennessee and Michigan State.

Iowa's Feb. 2 matchup will probably be its first against the Trojans after USC moved as much as the Big Ten. USC is led by JuJu Watkins, who, despite only being a sophomore, is already seen as Clark's successor in moving women's college basketball forward.

Kickoff for USC-Iowa is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET and the competition will air on FOX.

“The retirement of her number is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and a tribute to her legacy that will continue to inspire future generations,” Goetz said. “Hawkeye fans really want to say thank you for so many incredible moments.”

Required reading

After a generational college run in Iowa, Caitlin Clark began her profession this week in Indiana, where the common college graduate earns $52,267 a 12 months, in response to the U.S. Census American Consumer Survey.

But Clark isn't your average young skilled.

She is considered one of the most important stars within the country with huge name recognition and business appeal entering the WNBA. She's sold out arenas, landed a $28 million endorsement take care of Nike and skyrocketed television rankings – and her skilled potential has sparked widespread discussion concerning the economics of girls's basketball.

In her first season with the Indiana Fever, her salary of $76,535 will easily exceed Indiana's average wage. Even considering the WNBA's five-month season, that's a small thing in comparison with many other athletes, especially those credited with the potential to vary the trajectory of their sport.

Victor Wembanyama, the highest pick within the 2023 NBA Draft, earned $12.16 million in his first season, about 80 times greater than Clark per game. Caleb Williams, the NFL's No. 1 draft selection, will earn a salary of about $1 million in 2024, plus a signing bonus that can pay him greater than $7 million. Even Paul Skenes, who was the primary pick within the 2023 MLB Draft but is much from a household name, signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates value around $9.8 million, which incorporates a bonus of $9.2 million Includes US dollars.

The WNBA's revenues are far below those of other major North American leagues. But even in area of interest sports like bowling, browsing and bull riding, Clark's salary lags behind that of pros.

The base salary for a Professional Pickleball Association contract player is $75,000. The top five ranked players on the PPA Tour will receive a median of $1.5 million in prize money and payouts this 12 months. Ten Professional Bowlers Association players earned greater than Clark's rookie salary last 12 months. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association featured 25 bull riders whose paychecks exceeded $76,535, with the top-ranked rider earning nearly Clark's entire four-year contract value $338,056 in 2023 from National Finals Rodeo earnings.

Clark's relatively low salary has turn out to be such a national conversation that even the president has commented on it.

Women in sport proceed to push boundaries and encourage us all.

But at once we see that girls are usually not getting their justifiable share, even in the event that they are the most effective.

It's time we give our daughters the identical opportunities as our sons and ensure women get what they deserve.

– President Biden (@POTUS) April 16, 2024

A key difference between the WNBA and its counterparts in lots of other sports is that WNBA players earn a smaller share of league revenue. While NBA players have negotiated a 50-50 split of basketball revenue, the WNBA's salaries accounted for 9.3 percent of the league's revenue in 2023. Kelsey Plum, the star of the Las Vegas Aces and first vice chairman of the players' association, has repeatedly said that the WNBA players want an even bigger piece of the pie, not necessarily a straight raise. “We don’t demand the same salary as men” she said. “We demand that we receive the same percentage of revenue share.”

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert rejected the narrative surrounding Clark's salary. At the CNBC Changemakers SummitEngelbert explained that Clark could earn as much as half 1,000,000 in WNBA salary in 2024. However, this extra compensation is contingent on Clark profiting from team and league marketing agreements, in addition to receiving individual awards and advancing within the playoffs.

Nothing is guaranteed beyond their base salary that resembles the paychecks present in much newer leagues than the WNBA, which is in its twenty eighth season. Pro Volleyball Federation No. 1 Asjia O'Neal is making $60,000 within the PVF's inaugural season. Additionally, the PWHL pays its players a median of $55,000 of their first 12 months. The newer leagues have said their sponsorship and media rights are necessary sources of revenue. But the WNBA also attracts major sponsors, including Google, Nike and CarMax, and has rights deals with ESPN and Amazon.

Given the WNBA's position within the larger sports landscape, it might be inappropriate to match Clark to Wembanyama, Williams or Skenes. But it's also only paid by the lowest-paid NBA player on a two-way contract ($559,872), some NFL practice players (at the least $12,000 every week) and the minimum earners within the NHL ($750,000). dollars).

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1. The future Olympian, 18, earned $80,000 by winning a multi-day event this spring and a complete of $219,000 from five events in 2024.

2. The Finnish pro finished fifteenth, winning $77,350 in prize money in 14 events and never ending higher than third in 2023.

3. According to Sports Business Journal, the Charlotte Hornets entertainer earns an annual salary of $100,000 – not even the best amongst NBA mascots.

4. The Miami Marlins have signed the 17-year-old catcher to a one-year contract value $75,000 within the 2024 class. He was assigned to the minor leagues of the Dominican Summer League Marlins.

5. The MLS midfielder earned a base salary of $75,325 in 2023, making him the 789th highest-paid player.

6. The base prize money and payouts for a contract player within the Professional Pickleball League are roughly $75,000.

7. The golfer earned $78,414 in 2023 by competing in 11 events (best finish was twenty third).

eighth. Despite failing to position in most competitions, the 20-year-old placed twenty sixth and earned $76,439 in 2023.

9. The chess grandmaster earned almost $80,000 for winning a tournament – the Grand Swiss – in November 2023.

10. The Fortnite player, who ranked 481st worldwide in total earnings, won $83,475 last 12 months.

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The WNBA's current position in its development is usually in comparison with the time when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the NBA, sparking a wave of recognition that has accompanied the league for a long time. When Bird was drafted in 1978, he signed a five-year contract with a median annual value of $650,000 (this figure doesn’t take inflation into consideration). Johnson's average salary over his first five seasons was $460,000.

WNBA advocates hope Clark might help foster similar rivalries, with newcomers like Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and diverse other players bringing pedigree within the NCAA Tournament and other matchups.

At a fundraiser in April, Southern California head coach Lindsey Gottlieb cited Clark's salary as a reason to advocate for more cash for girls's college basketball. Although Clark and USC star JuJu Watkins have lucrative backers, Gottlieb said neither will “get their worth and worth in basketball.”

The hope for Clark and other WNBA players is that change is on the horizon. The league has struggled up to now to keep up its financial base through investments. Over the last decade, even long-established franchises just like the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks have almost failed. Teams lacked adequate practice facilities and players often competed abroad to complement their income.

Meanwhile, teams have generally turn out to be more competitive, and recent ownership groups in Atlanta, Las Vegas, New York and Phoenix are focused on making WNBA life more attractive, each financially and with perks. The WNBA has secured more corporate partnerships and media deals to extend the worth of the league. The league generated an estimated revenue of $200 million in 2023, doubling its total revenue in 2019. in response to Chiney Ogwumike, former vice chairman of the players' association. The WNBA recently announced it should spend $25 million on charter flights each of the subsequent two seasons. And it's hoped that a brand new media rights deal – the present one, which brings the printed partners a combined $50 million and expires in 2025 – will provide an extra influx of cash.

Consider the NWSL's recent broadcast contract, which calls for an annual payout of $60 million in comparison with the previous amount of $1.5 million, which helped increase the salary cap by 40 percent from 2023 to 2024 . Now several players' contracts pay high six-figure sums annually and are valued at seven figures over the course of their lives. No WNBA player has ever signed a contract value greater than 1,000,000 dollars.

That million-dollar mark could fall before Clark signs her next contract. And yet, without significant changes to the WNBA's funds, their salary may never reflect what other stars in similar positions receive.

The Athletic One; The athletic one

Caitlin Clark was introduced to Indiana for the primary time as a member of the Fever on Wednesday when the No. 1 draft pick joined general manager Lin Dunn and coach Christie Sides for a media meeting at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The reception that awaited Clark dwarfed any audience that has covered the Fever in recent memory, as can be the case for many of their debuts within the WNBA.

Distinguished media in attendance included Gregg Doyel, an award-winning columnist for the Indianapolis Star. When it was his turn to ask Clark a matter, Doyel made a heart gesture together with his hands toward her, which Clark recognized because the sign she gave her family after every game. This gesture became related to Clark and was featured in certainly one of her State Farm commercials. When Clark made the association, Doyel replied, “Start doing it with me and we'll get along just fine.”

Reporter:

Caitlin Clark: “Do you like that?”

Reporter: “I like that you’re here.”

Caitlin: “Yes, I do that after every game with my family.”

Reporter: “Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.”

Caitlin:

(above @IndianaFever / YT)pic.twitter.com/BBjU881K7a

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 17, 2024

The response to Doyle's comments was swift and unfavorable. There was near universal agreement that what Doyel said was inappropriate, disrespectful to Clark and customarily unpleasant. The uproar was so overwhelming that Doyel was forced to precise remorse for his comments. Write to X“My comment afterwards was clumsy and awkward. I sincerely apologize. Please know that my heart was well-intentioned (literally and figuratively). I'll do higher.”

Doyel too wrote a column in the Indianapolis Star apologizing to Clark for the interaction.

As Clark's star moves to the WNBA, she inadvertently shines a light on a press corps that has been fairly sparse due to relatively little media investment in women's basketball. As a result, reporters who have no experience covering women's sports are parachuting in to become part of the Clark phenomenon, which will lead to growing pains as they learn about women's basketball. But that doesn't excuse a lack of tact when dealing with WNBA athletes. The league and its teams need to develop a more robust system for certifying reporters as interest in the game increases. However, the media itself has a responsibility to treat players with respect and professionalism. This bar was not hit Wednesday in Indianapolis.

Required reading

politics

On Monday, the Indiana Fever chosen Caitlin Clark with the No. 1 overall pick within the WNBA draft, culminating years of pleasure surrounding the previous Iowa guard and potentially ushering in a brand new era for skilled women's basketball.

Clark's historic run at Iowa and her dynamic skillset are helping to draw more fans to the game than ever before. But with this extra attention comes a brand new realization for a lot of: WNBA players not only make less money than their NBA counterparts, they really make significantly less.

Clark's base salary will probably be fair $76,535 as a newcomer. The first player chosen on this yr's NBA Draft is predicted to hit around 100% 10.5 million dollars.

The disagreement sparked a wave of consternation on social media, and that excitement reached those in power this week.

U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, the only The former Division I athlete in Congress said in a post on X this week that the pay gap is “outrageous.” She called for motion to “close” the gender pay gap.

The indisputable fact that Caitlin Clark only earns a fraction of what her male colleagues earn is beyond outrageous.

The yr is 2024. The time to shut the gender pay gap and offer women equal opportunities was years ago. Let's get it done NOW.https://t.co/khvBX6wuiM

– Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) April 18, 2024

President Joe Biden also spoke out.

“But right now we see that women are not getting their fair share, even when they are the best,” Biden said in a single post to X. “It’s time we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and make sure women get what they deserve.”

Clark's rise and her battles with other recently drafted stars like LSU's Angel Reese and South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso coincided with a large increase in viewership for the NCAA women's tournament. According to data, an incredible 18.9 million viewers watched the championship game through which Cardoso's Gamecocks defeated Clark's Hawkeyes ESPN.

The last quarter-hour of the sport saw a peak of 24.1 million viewers. It was the most-watched women's college basketball game of all time and the most-watched college basketball game ESPN has ever shown, no matter gender. It drew more viewers across all networks than some other annual sporting event outside of football since 2019. According to ESPN, viewership increased 90% in comparison with last yr.

This dynamic was transferred to the WNBA draft, which drew 2.446 million viewers, a 307% increase in viewership over last yr. After The Fever selected Clark, the franchise's ticket prices skyrocketed. The fever is over last season with a dismal 13 wins and 27 losses. According to information, the highest 10 costliest WNBA games of the approaching season are all Fever games Forbes.

Could this result in higher salaries for WNBA players overall? That could change into clear in 2025, when the league looks to barter a brand new TV cope with broadcast partners. More fans and a bunch of young, bankable superstars would likely give the league a greater position on the negotiating table. The WNBA has made its breakthrough most-watched regular season for 21 years and had the best total attendance in 13 years. The WNBA and NBA currently have a joint contract with Disney's ESPN. WNBA officials are reportedly hoping so break it down among the media rights from the NBA, with the goal of receiving as much as $100 million per season from broadcast partners.

WNBA players are also expected to opt out of their current collective bargaining agreement in 2025. This way they may have the ability to barter something different Division of revenue Agreement. Players take home a portion of the league's revenue, meaning that as the worth of the league increases, players earn extra money.

In the NBA, players can receive 50% of all shared revenue. But within the WNBA, players only receive 50% of “additional revenue,” a term defined as revenue above the league’s goal for that season. Ultimately, about 40% of all NBA league revenue goes to player salaries, in comparison with about 10% of league revenue that goes to WNBA player salaries. Vox reported.

The WNBA's revenue may very well be increased by adding more games and teams. The NBA season is currently about twice so long as the WNBA. The men's league has 30 teams in comparison with the WNBA's 12. That will soon change because the WNBA prepares so as to add two more teams by 2026. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently said that she “pretty confident” within the league’s ability to achieve 16 teams by 2028.

Many WNBA players complement their income by playing overseas within the offseason. “Phoenix Mercury” star Brittney Griner did just that when she was arrested by Russian authorities lasted almost 10 months. In an interview after his return to the United States, Griner said quoted The gender pay gap is the explanation many go abroad.

Of course, star players can earn additional money through endorsement deals. According to the study, Clark and Reese had the 2 best name, image and likeness rankings (NIL) for female basketball players during their college careers AP. Clark's previous contract with Nike ended when she left Iowa, but the corporate is reportedly preparing to supply her one latest eight-figure promoting contract and a signature shoe.