‘That’s crap’: Republican Senators on Caitlin Clark’s WNBA salary

Republican Senators are split about the fact that WNBA first-round draft pick Caitlin Clark will be paid significantly less than her male counterparts.

Ms Clark garnered international attention during her time playing for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes’ women’s basketball team. Earlier this month, the Indiana Fever WNBA team selected her as the first pick in its draft.

But the fact Ms Clark’s four-year contract was worth just $338,056 sparked outrage given that she would make significantly less than her male colleagues in the NBA — specifically, she looks to make about $76,000 per year. Her direct male counterpart in the NBA, the first draft pick, has a contract worth $55 million.

President Joe Biden also criticized the low salary.

When The Independent asked them about Clark’s pay situation, Republican Senators from Ms Clark’s home state of Iowa and from Indiana diverged.

“Well, I think that's crap,” Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa told The Independent. “She is marvelous. I really think she is extraordinary. I think what she's doing for women's sports is really going to raise the issue so I'm really proud of her. Regardless, I am so proud of the entire team.”

But Senator Chuck Grassley, the oldest-serving Senator, said he believes Clark’s fame will lead to better pay for the WNBA on its own.

“She's going to lead the way so that within 10 years, women are going to get paid just as much as the men,” the nonagenarian senator told The Independent.

Indiana’s Republican Senator Todd Young highlighted Clark’s historic $28 million deal with Nike and implied that Clark’s lower salary was justified because of viewership numbers.

“I hope that the women's game continues to grow in viewership and brings in the sort of revenue that