Caitlin Clark isn’t bashful about her belief in the WNBA’s future, even as the players and owners find themselves without a labor deal in place for the 2025 season.
Speaking at a Nike event Monday, the Indiana Fever sensation and WNBA Rookie of the Year remained steadfastly positive following the league’s record-breaking 2024 season, which ended Sunday with the New York Liberty’s first title.
She wasn’t specifically addressing the WNBPA’s decision to opt out of the collective-bargaining agreement on Monday, but nonetheless offered extreme optimism at an uncertain moment.
‘From the amount of people that have showed up in the stadiums, from the viewership numbers to people really wanting to wear a WNBA player’s jersey,’ Clark told the conference, via satellite. ‘Just how it’s evolved in such a short period of time shows everyone there is real opportunity here and there has been opportunity here.
‘The more we can continue to expand that and continue to have games on national television and get people in seats because, when they show up at a stadium, they’re always coming back,’ she continued. ‘The more people that can get out and watch the ”W” or watch the college game, the better it’s going to be for the future of the game.’
Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark isn’t bashful about her belief in the WNBA ‘s future
The early opt-out marks a crucial juncture for the league. The WNBA recently signed a historic 11-year media rights deal worth $200 million a year.
The league had record attendance and viewership this year that culminated in the WNBA Finals that saw New York beat Minnesota in overtime on Sunday in a decisive fifth game. However, much of the season was defined by Clark and her fellow rookies, such as Chicago Sky power forward Angel Reese.
‘This is a defining moment not just for the WNBA, but for all of us who believe in progress,’ WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike said Monday. ‘The world has evolved since 2020 and we cannot afford to stand still. If we stay in the current agreement, we fall behind. This is a new era and we are ready to lead transformational change.’
The league has been skyrocketing, with 2024 marking a huge breakthrough after years of significant and sustained growth. ESPN had huge increases in ratings with viewership in the regular season going up 170 percent, according to the union.
The current CBA will still cover the 2025 season so the two sides have a year to negotiate a new agreement.
‘With the historic 2024 WNBA season now in the books, we look forward to working together with the players and the WNBAPA on a new CBA that is fair for all and lays the foundation for growth and success for years to come,’ WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.
Sabrina Ionescu of the Liberty celebrates in the locker room with Breanna Stewart
Engelbert said at her state-of-the-league address before Game 1 of the Finals that with the new media rights deal in place and many more corporate partners the strength of the league is in a great spot. She also went on to say that the players have been getting a lot more marketing deals, making them into household names.
The union said it was hoping for a new economic model that transforms the current system, which imposes arbitrary and restrictive caps on the value and benefits of players. The players want an equity-based model that grows and evolves with the league’s increased business success.
Other areas that the union would like to see improved include: salaries, retirement benefits, better child care and family planning benefits.
‘This isn’t some sudden wake-up call. It’s the culmination of what we’ve been driving for over the last several seasons,’ WNBPA vice president Kelsey Plum said. ‘We’ve played a key role in the league’s historic growth and now we’re breaking free from the current system to demand full transparency and an equitable stake in the business we’ve helped build.’
