Caitlin Clark is not taking a pay cut by going to the WNBA, and anyone saying otherwise is being intentionally obtuse

I wish we could stop talking about this.

This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.

Good morning, Winners! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thanks so much for giving us some of your time today. We appreciate you.

I regret to inform you that today’s conversation is, once again, about the notion that Caitlin Clark — and, really, women’s basketball players in general — are taking pay cuts by going to the WNBA.

I know, I know. We’ve had this talk before. Multiple times. Like, over and over again. But despite there being a ton of evidence pointing to the contrary, this dopey narrative continues to not only stick around but thrive in various internet circles.

Today’s culprit is Darren Rovell, who felt the need to belittle Caitlin Clark and her moment by immediately talking about the imaginary pay cut she was taking after she announced that she’d be going to the WNBA this season.

RELATED: Yes, she’ll still be doing March Madness

His argument is this: Clark’s NIL valuation is currently $910,000, per On3 Sports. She’ll go to the WNBA and make a $75,000 salary annually as a No. 1 pick. Clark’s NIL valuation is “essentially” (his words, not mine) a salary for Clark at Iowa. Her salary in the W would only be $75,000, which is obviously below $910,000.

Here’s the thing: That’s so laughably wrong. It shows a tacit misunderstanding about how all this works.

Her current valuation isn’t a salary — it’s a valuation of how much her endorsement deals are worth. Her current salary is a whopping $0 because Iowa doesn’t pay its student-athletes.

As far as that valuation number goes? Contrary to popular belief, that’s not going anywhere. Our Mitchell Northam explained this two months ago the last time we had to have this conversation.

Her endorsement deals are with national brands like Nike, Gatorade, Buick, State Farm and more. Do we really think they’re just dropping Caitlin Clark because she doesn’t play ball at Iowa anymore? That’s silly. Some of them have already confirmed they’ll continue working with her, Mitch writes:

“She will still be a household name with more than 825,000 followers on Instagram, and her profile could grow even more should Iowa make another Final Four run or if she competes in the Olympics this summer.

Those brands are more than likely going to stick with Clark, continue to back her and continue to reap the rewards from endorsing an athlete of her caliber. Gatorade has already committed to this, as its deal with Clark is a multi-year one. In a statement announcing a partnership with Clark, State Farm Chief Marketing Officer Kristyn Cook said, ‘We can’t wait to drive progress forward together with Caitlin for years to come,’.”

Maybe Rovell’s point would have a bit of validity if  Clark was mostly paid by Iowa’s NIL collective. Those collectives are funded by school boosters.  It’s a way to allow the bagmen of college sports to do their work over the table instead of under it.

But in Clark’s case specifically, she reportedly isn’t paid a dime by Iowa’s NIL collective, according to The Wall Street Journal. It’s all those same national brands above that are pledging to continue working with her. That money isn’t in any danger of evaporating.

Rovell and others’ points here have been completely nonsensical from the beginning. All it takes is a five-minute Google search to clear things up. It’s that easy.

Not only is this conversation intellectually dishonest, but it’s also beginning to feel more sinister. It’s as if folks like Rovell and others out there are just looking to disenfranchise young women looking to play pro basketball and are dead set on devaluing the WNBA.

No, the W isn’t perfect. The league surely has its problems, but so do its counterparts. Are the salaries small on a pro sports scale? Sure. But the league is still growing – it’s not even 30 years old yet.

Adding a national star like Caitlin Clark is sure to work wonders for its growth and popularity. Instead of trying to downplay this kid’s dream, Rovell and others need to just sit back and watch her shine.

Almost there

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James continues to build on his illustrious career. He’s already walking in uncharted territory in his 21st season while still putting up unfathomable numbers every night.

But with the very next game he plays, he’ll do something that maybe no one else in NBA history will ever do: Score his 40,000th point.

After embarrassing my Wizards with 31 points in an overtime win on Thursday, James is just nine points away from 40k career points.

Can I be honest for a second? I was kind of terrified that he’d do it against Washington in an overtime game against the worst team in the league that absolutely no one cared to watch. But now, he’ll likely get it done against the Nuggets on Saturday, which is a much better scenario.

Let’s just hope the Lakers don’t stop the game this time around for it like what happened when James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record. That was… weird.

I’m sorry, what?

You just have to see this story from Prince Grimes to believe it. To make a long story short, super gamlber Xaviar Babudar — aka Chiesfaholic — is facing charges for robbing banks to support his gambling habit.

And his lawyer is out here using football analogies to defend him. It’s bad. Really bad.

I have tried to stay away from ChiefsAholic news but his lawyer's opening comments today are just…

Just watch.. pic.twitter.com/NqtNJ3j3Qv

— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) February 28, 2024

“But the story here is Babudar’s lawyer. Because after the hearing, said lawyer addressed the media to explain how Babudar was taking accountability for his actions, and let’s just say he fumbled the message with the most unnecessary football analogy.

“From the beginning of this case, folks, the government has been blitzing. And Xaviar’s pocket was collapsing,” he started. “But today, Xaviar stepped into the pressure,’.”

Yeah, man. Chiesfaholic is cooked.

Photo Friday: The moment ROY was won

(AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Every time these two line up against one another something special happens. This is Victor Wembanyama blocking Chet Holmgren’s shot late in the fourth quarter in a win over Oklahoma City.

The entire sequence was enthralling. It’s worth a watch. Vic probably sealed Rookie of the Year here.

LOOK AT VICTOR WEMBANYAMA pic.twitter.com/M2J9d34dTn

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) March 1, 2024

I can’t believe this guy is real.

Quick hits: The top 16 is here … NHL Power Rankings … and more

— Our Mitchell Northam has the winners and losers for the NCAAW top 16 reveal

— Here’s Mary Clarke with her latest NHL Power Rankings ahead of the trade deadline

— The Shaq and Kobe comparisons for Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark are great. Meghan Hall has more.

— Michael Penix Jr. and JJ McCarthy are still showing out. Charles Curtis has more.

— Prince Grimes has the best bets for NBA division winners here. Those Nuggets are creeping up on the Thunder, man. Watch out.

— Caroline Darney has the scoop on Dune 2 reviews and they all look great. I cannot wait to see this.

That’s a wrap, folks. Thanks so much for reading today. Have a fantastic weekend. Let’s do it again next week. We out. Peace.

-Sykes