The Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese Effect: WNBA Players to Share First-Ever $8 Million Windfall

Young superstars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have collectively brought millions of new fans to the WNBA.

The Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese Effect: WNBA Players to Share First-Ever $8 Million Windfall

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's impact has led the WNBA to generate enough revenue to share $8 million with players for the first time.
  • The league's growth is attributed to increased ticket sales and viewership driven by the rivalry between Clark and Reese.
  • Players are using this revenue as leverage in ongoing CBA negotiations, with a deadline set for March 10th to finalize agreements.

Before Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese came into the WNBA, it was known to be a league that not many were interested in watching, let alone following, especially when it came to other sports.

It was not as if women’s sports were struggling as a whole. Rather, it was the professional basketball league that was churning losses every year, as they struggled to sell tickets or draw fans to the television. That effectively changed overnight when the two rookies came through the 2024 Draft. It was more so about the Indiana Fever superstar, as every time she played, the arenas were sold out, and opponents had to move to larger venues to cater to the demand.

But it was their rivalry that blew the lid off ratings and ticket sales, with their games often touted as record-setting encounters. In their first year alone, they helped the league grow exponentially.

The league understood what was happening and tried to capitalize on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s rivalry last year, but injuries prevented them from pushing the envelope.

However, the mere presence of the two has been enough, as ESPN’s Katie Barnes revealed that the WNBA, for the first time in its history, generated enough income to trigger a revenue-sharing clause in its current CBA.

This means that thanks to two young superstars, the 156-odd players who were part of last season would get a share of the $8 million that was deemed to be in excess.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese-led WNBA turning a profit should silence naysayers

When Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese joined the rest of the 2025 All-Stars to wear ‘Pay Us What You Owe Us’ t-shirts before the game, many critics felt that they did not deserve to be paid equivalent to what the men were getting in the NBA.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese wearing the 'Pay Us' t-shirts
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese wearing the ‘Pay Us’ t-shirts (Image via Rich/X/Hoops World/FB)

The women have been asking for equal revenue sharing, much like it is in the NBA. But critics felt that it was greedy on their part, as the league was heavily subsidised due to its consistent losses. Now, this $8 million windfall, which might not seem like it is much, is a major victory for the women who have been trying to prove that their game deserves better pay.

The league actually had an excess of $16 million, with $8 million going towards league marketing agreements. Since some players are already working towards helping the league expand its footprint, they would also benefit from that excess.

On top of that, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and every one of their peers will roughly receive $51K. It may not sound like much, but since the best of them do not earn more than $240K, that five-digit credit in their bank accounts will be welcomed with open arms.

WNBA gives players’ union deadline to sign CBA

The players will likely use this excess revenue as a bargaining point in their CBA discussions with the league. It has dragged on for too long, and there is fear that the 2026 season could be jeopardized.

Since the league has already issued the upcoming season schedule, Alexa Philippou revealed that they decided to send out a deadline to the WNBPA, the union that represents Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the rest of the players, to come to an agreement.

The league wants the ink to be dry by March 10th. Otherwise, its schedule will be impacted. That could create numerous problems for the WNBA, as they have countless events to sort before the season tips off. Holding an expansion draft for the two new teams, the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. Then teams will need time to sign all the free agents, which is nearly three-fourths of the league.

Then the draft has to go through, and teams will need time to assess prospects after finishing free agency. After all this, players will need to get through training camp. Only then can the league think of starting its 2026 schedule. Any delay will only lead to a mad rush. However, players might not want to cave in to the pressure.

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