sport news Jason Whitlock rejects Russell Wilson's claim that Caitlin Clark 'deserves so ... trends now
Given the WNBA's rookie pay scale, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark will earn just $76,535 in base salary over the 2024 season – a figure that has come as a shock to many, including Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson, the part owner of the MLS' Seattle Sounders, reacted to the news on social media, writing: 'These ladies deserve so much more…'
A debate ensued, but not one that involved Wilson.
Instead it was conservative sports media personality and critic Jason Whitlock who offered a counterargument.
'Russ, no snark, but explain to me why they deserve so much more,' Whitlock wrote. 'Are they curing cancer, educating children, building rocket ships?'
Conservative sports media personality and critic Jason Whitlock seized on the issue quickly
Unlike Wilson (right), Whitlock (left) doesn't think WNBA players deserve to make more money
Whitlock continued down this path, arguing that the WNBA isn't profitable enough to justify larger salaries for its players, even if Clark's four-year, $338,056 deal is dwarfed by San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama's $12 million rookie-season salary.
'Hundreds of thousands of young people leave college each year and start careers for less than 70k a year,' continued Whitlock, a sports pundit reportedly worth millions. 'Is a basketball player in a league that loses money every year worth more than an electrical engineer?
'Walk me through it. Thanks and good luck in Pittsburgh.'
Of course, Clark has already earned millions in endorsement deals with brands like State Farm, but the controversial podcaster was only addressing her current WNBA salary - something she was unable to really negotiate, per the current collective-bargaining
