Caitlin Clark salary theory shot down by ex-WNBA star - 'That's actually not true at all'

Gabby Williams was quick to set the record straight regarding WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's assertion that league players could rake in as much as $700,000 (£533k) in a year. During a press conference, Williams contested the idea that her peers, such as Caitlin Clark, were pocketing sums anywhere near those quoted by Engelbert.

For perspective, the top earner in the league is currently Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces, with an annual salary of $252,450 (£192k). Rookies usually earn significantly less, a factor which influenced Williams' Seattle Storm co-player and standout new entrant Nika Muhl's decision to play in Turkey in the off-season.

While en route to Turkey to join Fenerbahce, Williams took the opportunity during her flight to hop on TikTok for some straight talk. She specifically addressed a supporter's erroneous claim that Clark almost bagged $1 million (£760k) in her rookie year.

The 28-year-old powerfully clarified the origins of the Indiana Fever newbie's earnings, highlighting that these did not include endorsements.

"In the video, I'm talking about WNBA salaries and our collective bargaining agreement - I'm not talking about personal endorsements," Williams emphatically stated. "I'm not gonna disclose what I make from personal endorsement, I'm talking about specifically what WNBA salaries are and what is written in our CBA, which all of you can Google and it's all public information."

Williams highlighted her three-year stint playing abroad and when questioned about her reasons, she clarified that the financial incentives are greater overseas compared to the WNBA. Addressing a commenter's claim about rookie Clark's earnings, Williams set the record straight.

"Clark makes $70,000 (£53k) in the WNBA," she stated. "So I know all these Caitlin Clark fans, whatever, like 'Caitlin Clark makes $700,000' - that's off of endorsements. I'm not talking about endorsements, I'm talking about the WNBA.

"And no. There is not one player in the entire WNBA that makes the money that the commissioner likes to brag about and that was the point of that clip as well."

Williams then responded to criticism following her remarks on Commissioner Engelbert's assertions that WNBA players earn more than what's commonly known. The Olympic silver medalist took the opportunity to debunk Engelbert's claims and shed light on why many players opt to compete overseas to make up for the salaries at home.

"The W[NBA] thinks that they don't have to pay us more in order for us to be here. And I think I didn't express that when I first talked about prioritization," Williams commented. "Our commissioner talked about us being able to make $700,000. That's actually not true at all. There's not one player who makes that."

The French basketball sensation has pointed out that inadequate pay for WNBA players is partly due to the league's failure to implement "team marketing agreements and league marketing agreements."

She elaborated: "So it's still not enough for us international players to want to stay here and that's a choice of the players.

"If I make a choice to make more money, whatever, and then teams are mad that I don't come back, but that's how it is. The WNBA, if you want us to be here, you have to pay us more. It's business, it's how it works, and that's all that means."

She did, however, give credit to WNBA icons Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier for pioneering 'Unrivaled', an alternative offseason league designed to retain talent stateside with better compensation. "Going overseas isn't for everyone," she acknowledged.

"I understand that it's not the situation for everyone so shout out to them for giving players options to make money."