The Problem in Women’s Sports

Laramee Minor     
Staff Writer    
  With the NCAA Women’s College Basketball season coming to an end, the WNBA draft and regular season begins. The WNBA, Women’s National Basketball League, had its 29th annual draft on April 15, 2024. Fans anxiously awaited to see which players would be drafted to which teams. Athletes such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Kamilla Cordoso were among some of the top players projected to be drafted in the professional league. 
  Throughout the 2022-2023 NCAA Women’s College Basketball regular season, there were several players that started to stand out. Caitlin Clark began to gain fame during her senior season at the University of Iowa. She quickly became known for her ability to shoot the ball from anywhere on the court. Whether Clark was at half court or right under the basket, she could put the ball through the net. She additionally became known for her impeccable passing skills. Clark led the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NCAA Women’s College Basketball Championship where they faced the Louisiana State Tigers. Similar to Iowa State University, Louisiana State University had a victorious season that year. With a win to loss record of 34-2, the Tigers, led by Angel Reese, went on to win the National Championship against the University of Iowa. Reese is most known for her remarkable rebounding skills and averaging over eighteen points a game. However, in order for the Tigers to reach greatness, they had to beat the University of South Carolina, whose star player is Kamilla Cardoso. Standing at six foot seven, Cardoso, most known for her ability to run down the entire floor to shut down any offensive player, became a force to be reckoned with. Cardoso also led her team to an undefeated season and a championship during the 2023-2024 season. 
  On the day of the WNBA draft in 2024, fans all over the country awaited on the edge of their seats. It was no surprise when Clark was selected as the first overall draft pick. Clark was the most anticipated player of the whole draft and picked up by the Indiana Fever. Kamilla Cordoso was not far behind as she was selected by the Chicago Sky as the third overall pick. As the draft went on, a multitude of the nation’s greatest players were selected including Angel Reese, who was later picked up by the Chicago Sky as the seventh overall pick. 
  The day after the draft it was announced that Caitlin Clark and other top draft picks would only be paid $76,535 for their rookie years. Clark’s four year contract will only be worth $338,056. It shocked many as Clark was the most anticipated draft pick of the last several seasons in women’s basketball. Compared to the contract of the number one overall draft pick in the NBA, Clark will make millions less. The contract Clark will sign will not only be worth less compared to the number one draft pick in the NBA, but it is significantly less than the average rookie contract. The average NBA rookie contract is worth $953,000 per year which is notably higher than what Clark will even be able to make in four years. Essentially, one male NBA benchwarmer will have the opportunity to make more than Clark’s entire professional team. This left many new fans to basketball in disbelief and had them questioning when things will change and when will women professional athletes finally receive the recognition and pay they deserve.