Stephen Jackson advises heeding players’ requests in light of Caitlin Clark’s emergence.

Former NBA player Stephen Jackson cautions the WNBA to start considering the desires of its players with the rise of Caitlin Clark. The introduction of the standout talent from Iowa is anticipated to bolster the league’s appeal and potentially increase its revenue.

During the “All The Smoke” podcast, Jackson and Matt Barnes covered various topics, including Clark’s influence on the WNBA. Jackson, known as “Stack Jack,” suggests that the WNBA should be wary of the impact Clark could have on players’ opportunities to earn elsewhere.

Jackson highlighted the reported $5 million offer from the Big3 to the Hawkeyes’ sharpshooter. Clark’s popularity stands to benefit players, as other leagues and teams may offer her and her peers higher salaries, which the WNBA may struggle to match.

“If it’s an opportunity for a lady that’s playing in college basketball and she can go overseas and make five or 10 million, we might not see her in the WNBA,” Jackson said.

“I hope this is waking the WNBA up to see how important women like Caitlin is for basketball. You got to give them what they are worth now and stop making them wait.”

Caitlin Clark reportedly garners an estimated $3.1 million through her NIL agreements, positioning her fourth among all collegiate athletes in earnings. Outstripping her were only Bronny James (USC – Basketball), Shedeur Sanders (Colorado – Football), and Livvy Dunne (LSU – Gymnastics).

Clark is slated to be the top pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, headed to the Indiana Fever. Her rumored rookie-year salary hovers around $74,000. However, with the Big3 dangling a $5 million contract for 10 summer games, it’s understandable that the league might feel some apprehension.

Should Clark decline the offer, other collegiate standouts waiting in the wings might seize the opportunity and bypass the WNBA entirely. Yet, a silver lining emerges: Clark’s burgeoning popularity could potentially rejuvenate the struggling league, propelling it to newfound heights.

The impact of Caitlin Clark on the WNBA is already palpable within the Indiana Fever.

The franchise is poised to select Clark as the top choice in the 2024 WNBA draft, pairing her with last year’s first-overall pick, Aliyah Boston. The Fever is already experiencing the ripple effects of Clark’s renown, evident in their expanded national television coverage.

The league recently announced that 36 of the Fever’s 40 regular-season games will be broadcast nationally this season. Clark’s presence will grace screens across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, CBS, NBA TV, and Amazon Prime Video.

Moreover, ticket prices for Indiana Fever away games have skyrocketed compared to matchups against other teams.