Rekindling the controversy around women’s basketball pay and Caitlin Clark’s salary, a prominent WNBA player abruptly announced her departure from the league.
After the Seattle Storm was eliminated by the Las Vegas Aces from the WNBA playoffs, Gabby Williams, a top player for the team, left to join Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Williams’ action also happens to be a few days after she caused a stir by criticizing the league for not paying players more.
The 22-year-old’s wages, which have been a hot issue since he was selected with the first overall pick in the WNBA draft, were another item she discussed.
After it was revealed that Clark’s rookie contract was only for $76,000, President Joe Biden was among those to voice his opinion, saying that “women are not paid their fair share.”
Clark contributed to the WNBA’s record-breaking viewership and sharp increase in attendance. However, she was also accused of bullying and racial privilege during her debut season.
Williams recently took aim at Cathy Engelbert, the commissioner of the WNBA, for remarks she made concerning players’ earning prospects.
Williams insisted that Engelbert’s earlier allegation that WNBA players can earn up to $700,000 annually was completely untrue. There’s not one player who makes that.’
‘We were promised team marketing deals and league marketing agreements, but they’ve fallen pretty short,’ said the 28-year-old forward, who was selected by the Chicago Sky in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft.
Then, a fan of Clark brought up the fact that the Indiana Fever star’s inaugural season earnings had exceeded $700,000. This is true even if her WNBA base pay is only $76,000.
Williams replied to the fan on social media, making it clear that she was talking exclusively about WNBA salary and not money from sponsorships or other outside agreements.
Clark earns $70,000 in the WNBA, according to Williams. ‘So I know all these Caitlin Clark fans are like “Caitlin Clark makes $700,000”.
‘That’s off of endorsements… to everyone saying “leave the country, if you’re unhappy in America”, I did.’
