A WNBA star has shockingly left the league, reigniting the controversy surrounding Caitlin Clark’s earnings and salaries in women’s basketball.
Gabby Williams of the Seattle Storm departed to join Fenerbahce in Turkey after her team’s elimination from the WNBA playoffs by the Las Vegas Aces.
Williams’ departure followed her criticism of the league’s inadequate player compensation and her comments on Clark’s earnings since being drafted as the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever.
President Joe Biden even weighed in, stating that ‘women are not paid their fair share,’ as it was revealed that Clark’s rookie contract was valued at only $76,000.
Former Seattle Storm star Gabby Williams has left the WNBA to join Fenerbahce in Turkey
It comes just days after the power forward weighed in on Caitlin Clark’s earnings power
Clark boosted the WNBA’s viewership and attendance numbers. However, her rookie season was marred by accusations of bullying and racial favoritism.
Williams recently criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for portraying higher earning potentials for players in the league.
Contrary to Engelbert’s claim that players can earn up to $700,000 annually, Williams disputed by stating, ‘That’s actually not true at all. There’s not one player who makes that.’
The 28-year-old forward expressed disappointment in the unmet promises of marketing agreements, leading international players like her to seek opportunities elsewhere for better financial gains.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert claimed WNBA players can make up to $700,000 a year
A fan pointed out that Clark earned over $700,000 during her rookie season, despite her base salary of $76,000 in the WNBA.
Responding to the fan on social media, Williams clarified that her comments were focused on WNBA pay, excluding earnings from sponsorships and other external deals.
Williams stated, ‘Clark makes $70,000 in the WNBA. 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.’
The forward averaged 10.3 points, four rebounds, and 3.7 assists in the 2024 WNBA regular season before opting to play in Turkey.
Meanwhile, Clark broke several WNBA records during a tumultuous rookie year, which involved controversy surrounding racism and bullying.
Clark’s clash with Chicago’s Chennedy Carter (L) sparked huge backlash around the sport
Earlier this year, the No. 1 draft pick, previously a standout at Iowa Hawkeyes, was involved in a contentious incident with rival Chennedy Carter.
The incident went viral, with many fans, including DailyMail.com columnist Tim Howard, suggesting that jealousy was behind the treatment of Clark.
Some have also mentioned that Clark, now a prominent sports figure, may have benefited from her race.
A’ja Wilson of the Aces expressed, ‘It doesn’t matter how hard I work. It doesn’t matter what we all do as black women, we’re still going to be swept underneath the rug.’
Clark recently condemned fans’ racially abusive behavior towards her WNBA colleagues during the Indiana Fever’s playoff game against the Connecticut Sun.
The playoff match, which ended Indiana’s season prematurely, was overshadowed by allegations of racism from Fever supporters during the defeat.
Sun star Alyssa Thomas condemned the abusive remarks as the worst she had faced in her 11-year career.
‘I’ve never been called the things that I’ve been called on social media, and there’s no place for it,’ Thomas voiced.
Clark echoed similar sentiments, stating, ‘It’s definitely upsetting. Nobody in our league should be facing any sort of racism, hurtful, disrespectful, hateful comments, and threats.’
She concluded by saying, ‘Those aren’t fans, those are trolls, and it’s a real disservice to the people in our league, the organization, the WNBA.’
