Caitlin Clark‘s effect on the WNBA matches the impact some of the all-time greats had on the NBA, according to someone well-versed in NBA history.
Mike Breen, the New York Knicks and ESPN TV announcer, discussed the issue Sunday when the Knicks visited the Indiana Pacers as she was shown in a front-row seat. She’s also a regular at Butler basketball games.
“During the summer, when the Indiana Fever played here with Caitlin Clark, the building was packed every game,” Breen said. “TV ratings for the local telecast were higher than a lot of the Pacer games because of Caitlin Clark.”
New coach: Before Clark, Fever coach Stephanie White wore No. 22 and sold out gyms
Interest in the WNBA boomed this year, thanks in large part to Clark. The league’s media rights contract moving forward is several times bigger than the previous version. The WNBA players’ union hopes that translates to significantly larger salaries.
“She’s doing rating-wise for the WNBA what Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Steph Curry had to do with the NBA,” Breen said, later mentioning Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
Mike Breen talked multiple times about Caitlin’s impact on women’s basketball during the Knicks vs Pacers broadcast. We need him to call a Fever game!
“She’s doing rating wise for the WNBA what Michael Jordan, Lebron James, and Steph Curry have been doing for the NBA.”
BANG pic.twitter.com/Zdu46IfS5B
— correlation (@nosyone4) November 11, 2024
How much money does Caitlin Clark make?
The rookie scale for the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft starts at $76,535 in the first season, according to Spotrac. That goes up to $78,066 in the second season, followed by $85,873 and $97,582 (option).
Of course, Clark makes much more in endorsements with State Farm, Gatorade, Gainbridge, Nike, Wilson Sporting Goods and more.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Caitlin Clark’s impact on WNBA matches LeBron James’ on NBA
