‘$1million a year’ – Indiana Fever told to hand Caitlin Clark record breaking contract as barely believable impact outlined
The Caitlin Clark impact has touched an entire city in more ways than one.
In the same week it was revealed that the 22-year-old has been catapulted into the top 10 highest earning female athletes for the year, the WNBA superstar has had a multi-million dollar impact on the city of Indianapolis.
2
Caitlin Clark has had an unprecedented impact on the WNBA
The WNBA has had record-breaking success with the 2024 season with TV viewership, attendance and commercial figures all sky-rocketing.
And on closer analysis, from one financial expert, the local economy has also benefited from what continues to be described as ‘the Caitlin Clark effect’.
Part of it is due to the introduction of stars like Clark and Angel Reese with their blockbuster NCAA final clash in 2024 attracting record eyeballs which have carried over to the WNBA.
Although 22-year-old Clark’s impact has not just been limited to the WNBA but also has provided a boost to the local Indianapolis economy – a number that has reached the tens of millions.
Dr Ryan Brewer is a finance guru who spoke to the Indianapolis Star Network about Clark’s financial impact.
“The numbers are so staggering,” said Brewer, associate professor of finance at Indiana University Columbus. “They don’t even seem real.
“I have her economic impact on the city of Indianapolis at $36 million and the impact on the WNBA is at least at $40 million.
“Now, let’s take a breath for a minute and think about this. That’s for one year. We’re talking about one player.”
A number like that makes other experts believe that the Fever should tie Clark down to a contact that is accurately reflective of her worth as soon as possible.
“It would make a ton of sense for Indianapolis to lock her up long-term at a million dollars a year,” John Holden, an associate professor of business law and ethics at the Indiana University told Indystar.
2
Caitlin Clark was the WNBA rookie of the year last season.
While Brewer went on to add that players like Reese and Clark are creating a ‘firestorm’ of interest in the league and that he expects the record-breaking numbers to stabilise and maintain.
Once this happens he also expects WNBA players salaries to jump, with a new broadcast deal worth an estimated $200million a season set to flood the league.
Last season, Clark’s rookie contract saw her earn just over $76,000 as her annual salary while she added $11m in endorsements
Fellow rookie and first overall pick Victor Wembanyama earned $13.8 million for his debut NBA season for the San Antonio Spurs, 184 times more than Clark.
Brewer went on to also explain Clark’s individual impact on the WNBA.
“She is responsible for 26.6% for league wide activity. I have her attendance adjustment impact at 300% and revenues along with valuation of the Fever have sky-rocketed.”
In @USCWBB's 94-52 win over Cal Baptist, JuJu Watkins: 40 points, program-record 9 of 11 from 3-point range. Watkins is 3rd @B1Gwbball player in last 25 years with at least 40 points & 9 3's. @IowaWBB's Caitlin Clark did it twice, @GopherWBB's Rachel Banham once. @ESPNStatsInfo
— Michael Voepel (@MAVoepel) December 4, 2024\n\n\n”,”width”:550,”height”:550,”provider”:”twitter”,”attribs”:{“data-tweetid”:”1864170385190588723″}}” data-provider=”twitter” data-widget-name=”embed” data-widget-id=”embed-7885b625″>
In @USCWBB’s 94-52 win over Cal Baptist, JuJu Watkins: 40 points, program-record 9 of 11 from 3-point range. Watkins is 3rd @B1Gwbball player in last 25 years with at least 40 points & 9 3’s. @IowaWBB’s Caitlin Clark did it twice, @GopherWBB’s Rachel Banham once. @ESPNStatsInfo
— Michael Voepel (@MAVoepel) December 4, 2024
As he also claimed that 45% of the broadcast value of WNBA games came from Indian Fever matches.
Attention in the college ranks is also shifting to Juju Watkins, the newest college star, who will look to have a record-breaking impact of her own when she eventually enters the league.
The 19-year-old has already shattered some of Clark’s NCAA records.
She became the fastest player to have 15 games with at least 30 points and also the quickest player to score 1,000 career points – doing it in 38 games, two fewer than Clark’s previous record of 40.
The WNBA looks to be in safe hands with the likes of Watkins building a name for herself and Paige Bueckers expected to be another generational first overall pick in the 2025 draft in April.
For now, it’s Clark and Reese’s world.