Nancy Lieberman Credits Caitlin Clark with Driving WNBA's New $2.2 Billion CBA and Higher Player Salaries
Women's basketball legend Nancy Lieberman has attributed the WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement—which includes major salary increases and a revenue-sharing model—largely to the arrival of Caitlin Clark and the massive fan base she brought to the league. The March 2024 CBA deal nearly quintuples the team salary cap and introduces sweeping upgrades to player benefits. Lieberman's comments highlight how a single transformational player can reshape the financial landscape of a professional sports league.
Nancy Lieberman, a women's basketball icon, has credited Caitlin Clark's entry into the WNBA as a primary driver of the league's landmark collective bargaining agreement reached in March 2024. Lieberman stated that without Clark's presence, the $2.2 billion CBA would not have materialized, noting that Clark arrived with millions of fans and brought unprecedented media attention to the league. The new seven-year deal establishes the first-ever revenue-sharing model (averaging 20% of league and team revenue), nearly quintuples the team salary cap, and introduces major upgrades to player benefits and facility standards. Lieberman compared Clark's impact to that of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods on their respective sports, arguing that her presence elevates the entire league by exposing more fans to other star players. She emphasized that the influx of young talent with established fan bases and NIL experience has strengthened the league rather than diminished it.
What's missing
The article does not include perspectives from WNBA players, league officials, or economists on whether Caitlin Clark was truly the primary driver of the CBA improvements, or whether other factors—such as broader growth in women's sports viewership, increased corporate investment, or sustained player advocacy—also contributed significantly to the deal.
What different sources said
- Fox NewsRight
Women's basketball legend Nancy Lieberman credits Caitlin Clark for new WNBA CBA, higher salaries
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