Better salary, revenue sharing, all seemed smooth with the new CBA, until a few wished a pay cut for Caitlin Clark, but a noted analyst jumped to her defense swiftly, as several fans also weighed in on the issue.

The new CBA deal ensured a supermax salary starting at $1.4M. Under the new CBA provision known as Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract, Clark’s salary is bound to spike. But as a side effect, the Indiana Fever will ripple financially.

This is what led to many desiring a pay cut for CC. However, WNBA analyst Rachel A DeMita opined that people “need to stop with that discourse immediately”. “This league has to start establishing their superstars,“ she said on X on March 21. “This is not the time when we put every WNBA player on the cover.”

The initial argument is that Clark should take a pay cut and help the program keep other players like “Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull”.

However, according to DeMita, the focus should be on franchise players, who should get their worth. And the fans continued the rest of the discussion.

A Mixed Reaction Emerged From the Fans Regarding Caitlin Clark's Pay Cut Calls

As per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou’s example, Clark’s salary will go up to $530K in 2026 as per the new minimums of the CBA deal. By 2027, she’d be eligible to earn a max of $1.3M in 2027. Her All-WNBA status might even help sign for a $1.7M supermax in 2028, and many fans agreed that a pay cut shouldn’t take place.

“No pay cut. There’s too much of that going on in industries now, and it’s detrimental to the quality of worker/player development”, one wrote. Another added, “No. No. No. CC earned them that cash.” A third one said, “100% No cuts, know your value!!!” One fan nonchalantly expressed, “People NEED to stop!”

Another user even took it a step further, saying that instead of a pay cut, Clark should get more than other players. She’s the reason behind the League’s growing popularity, and the league should compensate her fairly.

The comment read, “Pay cut? CC should get 10% of every @WNBA players’ salary for this season coming up. She is the only reason this new CBA was made. Without CC, there is no playing extra games in bigger arenas, sell-out crowds, and huge TV ratings. CC is the one who made that possible.”

Meanwhile, many agreed that the $7M salary cap and supermax salary thing will ultimately harm the roster. Many argued that Clark cares about the money more than the earnings, so it shouldn’t be much of a big deal for her.

“We just want to see Caitlin win with a great group she already has chemistry with. That can't happen now with the new salary cap. Congrats to the ladies getting paid, but it's blowing up rosters as we knew them”, wrote a fan.

While another wrote, “I agree that she shouldn’t be expected to take less. If she decided willingly, I think it would be a great move. TBrady took Less than other QBs to build a championship team around him. I believe CC wants to win rings more than an extra 500K. She doesn’t play for $ alone.”

While the conversation went on, no official update from the league has come through yet.

So, which side do you agree with? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy