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Caitlin Clark, the basketball phenomenon from the University of Iowa, wrapped up an electrifying year by clinching the top spot in the 2024 W.N.B.A. draft on April 15th.

Her rise to the top wasn't just about breaking records with her stellar scoring and court savvy—it was a game-changer for women's basketball, shining a spotlight on the W.N.B.A. like never before.

But the buzz of draft night took a sharp turn when details of her rookie contract surfaced. She's set to earn $338,056 over four years under the current W.N.B.A. deal—a fraction of what top N.B.A. picks like Victor Wembanyama rake in with their multimillion-dollar contracts.

This stark pay gap triggered widespread outcry and reignited the debate on fairness in sports. Even President Biden chimed in, stressing that athletes like Clark deserve equal pay and opportunities. His message was clear: "Even if you're at the top, women aren't getting their fair share. Our daughters deserve the same chances as our sons."

Clark's story isn't just about dollars and cents—it's a reflection of broader challenges in women's sports. Despite gaining momentum and higher TV ratings, female athletes still face glaring pay disparities compared to their male counterparts. It all boils down to money: the N.B.A. hauls in about $10 billion annually, while the W.N.B.A. clocks around $200 million.

But Clark isn't just making waves on the court. Her draft night jersey sales smashed records at Fanatics, and she's on the brink of sealing a major deal with Nike, proving her star power goes well beyond her W.N.B.A. paycheck.