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What is Caitlin Clark's value to WNBA? A huge chunk of its $200-million revenue, expert says

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What is Caitlin Clark's value to WNBA? A huge chunk of its 0-million revenue, expert says

The champagne hadn’t even dried after the New York Liberty won the WNBA championship when the players association announced it would opt out of the league’s collective bargaining agreement, which was set to expire in 2027.

A dramatic increase in revenues due primarily to the emergence of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and other marquee rookies prompted the players to recognize they aren’t getting what they believe to be a fair share. The CBA now ends after the 2025 season, blowing up a pay scale that set average salaries at about $120,000, with rookie minimums at $64,154 and veteran maximums at $241,984.

Clark’s four-year rookie contract under the CBA was for $338,056 — including $76,535 in 2024 — laughably low numbers given the revenue she helped generate. Clark broke almost every WNBA rookie record, but more impressive was her off-the-court impact.

“The numbers are so staggering,” said Ryan Brewer, associate professor of finance at Indiana University Columbus, who was asked by the Indianapolis Star to put a price tag on Clark. “They don’t even seem real.”

The numbers, as crunched by Brewer:

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  • Clark was responsible for 26.5% of WNBA economic activity for the 2024 season, including attendance, merchandise sales and television. One of every six tickets sold at a WNBA arena can be attributed to Clark.
  • Total WNBA TV viewership due to Clark is up 300%, and 45% of total broadcast value came from Fever games.
  • WNBA merchandise sales rose 500%, with Clark ranking No. 1 followed by Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese.
  • The Fever’s regular-season attendance averaged a record 17,036 per game, and the team’s total attendance of 340,715 also was a record.
  • Clark’s regular-season games were watched by 1.2 million viewers on average, which was 200% more than games in which she didn’t play.

No wonder the players opted out of the current CBA, with the Women’s National Basketball Players Assn. stating its position succinctly with a video to X that proclaimed, “It’s business. We’re out.”

Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) during a Sept. 11 game in Indianapolis.

(Darron Cummings / Associated Press)

The WNBA signed a new media rights deal in July worth a reported $200 million a year, more than three times the current package. However, a question that will be raised during CBA negotiations is whether the surge in fan interest and revenue will continue or abate over time.

That’s why the WNBA media rights deal pales in comparison to the NBA’s new TV agreement with Disney (ABC and ESPN), Comcast (NBC and Peacock) and Amazon (Prime Video). Those outlets will air the league’s nationally televised games for 11 seasons beginning in 2025-26 and the NBA will be paid about $76 billion.

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“As this continues to materialize, the corporate side, the business side, not the players union, but the other sides, are going to continue to watch to see that these numbers can stabilize and maintain rather than just spike and drop again,” Brewer said. “That’s what they’re afraid of. And that’s what’s keeping the numbers low.”

Clark, meanwhile, is doing quite well financially despite her low salary. Sportico on Wednesday published a list of the highest paid female athletes, and Clark was ranked No. 10, just behind Simone Biles. Clark, the only basketball player on the list, earned $11.1 million in 2024. (On top of the list for the second year in a row was tennis star Coco Gauff, who made $30.4 million in prize money and endorsements.)

Endorsements make up the bulk of Clark’s income. She gets $3.5 million a year from an eight-year contract with Nike and also has deals with Gatorade, Gainbridge, Hyvee, Xfinity, Wilson, Buick and State Farm Insurance.

WNBA star Caitlin Clark is sitting down while being introduced to the fans during an NBA game between the Suns and Warriors

WNBA star Caitlin Clark is introduced to fans Saturday during an NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors in Phoenix.

(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)

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Most WNBA players, of course, have only a small fraction of that sort of endorsement income. They must rely on their salaries, which many supplement by playing overseas during the WNBA offseason.

Only 9.3% of league revenues of $200 million in 2024 went to player salaries, according to Bloomberg. That’s less than $20 million. Meanwhile, NBA players share 50% of their league revenue, which in 2023 meant $5.3 billion of $10.6 billion.

Few argue against a larger slice of WNBA revenues going toward player salaries, and precise numbers will be hammered out in CBA negotiations a year from now. Until then, the best evidence players can point to would be continued growth in attendance, TV viewership and merchandise sales.

And Clark’s contribution undoubtedly will remain a major factor.

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Former Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin suspended from equestrian for a year over whipping scandal

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Former Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin suspended from equestrian for a year over whipping scandal

Charlotte Dujardin — Team GB’s joint-most decorated female Olympian — has been suspended from equestrian for one year after “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare.”

The sport’s governing body, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), confirmed on Thursday Dujardin would be suspended from competing until July 23, 2025, and fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,884; $11,300).

Dujardin’s sanction comes after a video emerged in July 2024 of the double Olympic dressage champion whipping a horse repeatedly four years previously, which saw her withdraw from the Paris Olympic Games. The time already served during her provisional suspension will count towards the FEI punishment.

During the suspension period, the 39-year-old is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or of a National Federation.

After the video emerged in the summer, Dujardin withdrew from the Paris Games and said she had made “an error of judgement” during a coaching session. The FEI, British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and British Dressage subsequently launched a disciplinary process, with the latter two bodies reciprocating the FEI’s ban.

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The FEI added that since the video emerged, it has not received any further complaints about Dujardin’s conduct.

Dujardin said at the time that the incident was “completely out of character” and “does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils”, adding that she was “deeply ashamed” of the footage.

FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibanez said on Thursday: “It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games. Yet, despite the challenges, the FEI acted decisively by immediately opening an investigation and imposing a provisional suspension.

“These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences. We believe this outcome reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to equine welfare and to its role as guardian of our equine partners.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) said after the initial investigation was opened: “We welcome that this has already been referred to a relevant authority and that the FEI is investigating. We are ready to provide any support to their work, if required.”

Dujardin has won six Olympic medals across the three Games she has competed at. She won two golds in the individual and team dressage at London 2012, before defending her individual gold at Rio 2016 and winning silver in the team event. Dujardin then claimed two bronze medals at Tokyo.

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Her medal haul leaves her level with cyclist Laura Kenny, who won five golds and one silver across three Games. With Kenny retiring ahead of Paris, any medal for Dujardin earlier this year would have made her Britain’s most decorated female Olympian.

Dujardin had been due to compete in the team and individual dressage in Paris.

(Top image: Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)

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Packers head coach, Lions fan separated on field before rivalry game

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Packers head coach, Lions fan separated on field before rivalry game

Tempers flared early in Detroit ahead of an NFC North matchup with an unusual dispute.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and a Detroit Lions fan were separated on the field before Thursday night’s clash.

The ruckus appeared to occur right before the national anthem when Lions fans were on the field holding the flag for the game.

Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers reacts to a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field Nov. 27, 2022, in Philadelphia.  (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

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Apparently, though, a fan in a Brian Branch jersey took it a bit too far, to the point LaFleur told him to “shut the f— up.”

Several Packers players and referees intervened before the fan walked away, excited about what had just happened.

Fans holding the flag took their phones out to record the argument. 

And it wasn’t an ideal start for the Packers once the game actually started. 

A defensive penalty on a third and goal gave the Lions a fresh set of downs, and David Montgomery ran in for a score on the game’s first drive. After Detroit made it 10-0, the Packers cut into the lead with a Josh Jacobs touchdown in the second quarter.

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The Lions took a 17-7 lead into the locker room, but the Packers scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives and benefited from a costly Jared Goff interception to lead 21-17.

Matt LaFleur on field

Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers stands on the field before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif.  (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

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The Lions and Packers have combined to go 20-4 this season and are first and third in the division, respectively. Detroit is looking to set a franchise record with its 11th straight victory.

Both teams earned home victories on Thanksgiving.

Matt LaFleur looks down at play sheet

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur during the first quarter of a game against the Indianapolis Colts Sept. 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. (Imagn)

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The Lions defeated the Packers last month, 24-14, at Lambeau Field.

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Ladd McConkey is hurting, but Chargers' offense would hurt more if he can't face Chiefs

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Ladd McConkey is hurting, but Chargers' offense would hurt more if he can't face Chiefs

Ladd McConkey has not made a decision whether he will be available Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs as he manages knee and shoulder injuries, but the Chargers’ leading receiver is “going to do whatever I need to do” to get on the field for the AFC West showdown.

“Shoot, if I can play, I’m gonna play,” McConkey said Thursday after practice, during which he was a limited participant.

The rookie leads the Chargers with 815 yards receiving on 58 catches with four touchdowns. He torched the Atlanta Falcons for 105 yards receiving in the first half last Sunday, but said he injured his knee on a third-quarter catch when he was sandwiched on a tackle by Dee Alford and Troy Andersen.

It was McConkey’s last catch of the game and he finished with 117 yards with 12 receptions while laboring through most of the fourth quarter.

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“Everybody has something going on,” said McConkey, who was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday. “Everybody’s playing through something this time of the year. So at the end of the day, it is what it is. I feel good enough.”

The former second-round pick has been a frequent mention on the Chargers injury report, battling through shoulder and hip injuries this season. Black tape on his right shoulder was poking out from under his jersey Thursday while black sweatpants covered the brace he wore on his right knee.

McConkey’s relatively slight, 6-foot, 185-pound frame, combined with his role that often puts him in position to absorb big tackles while crossing the middle of the field has made his long-term durability a concern.

Although he has worked with trainers to ensure he recovers and gets treatment during the week, McConkey acknowledged that making in-game decisions to preserve his health will be key for his career.

“I’m not really gonna run someone over, and is it really worth it to get the extra one or two yards?” McConkey said. “Obviously if I catch it, it’s third down, I’ll do whatever I gotta do to get the first down. But when there’s four people honing in on you, is it really worth it to take that extra hit?”

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McConkey has been the Chargers’ most reliable receiver this season by far. The team’s second-leading pass-catcher is tight end Will Dissly, who has 41 catches for 399 yards and one touchdown.

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