NORAH O’DONNELL: Basketball sensation Caitlin Clark has taken the women's game to new heights, but becoming the WNBA's top draft pick has brought attention to the pay disparity with the NBA. CBS's Jericka Duncan reports Clark held her first press conference today, where she talked about how the league can narrow the gap.
CAITLIN CLARK: This is a dream come true, like these are the moments you dream of.
JERICKA DUNCAN: This could also be the moment the WNBA and women's professional sports has been waiting for.
CLARK: I think the more eyeballs you can get on this league, you know, the better off this world is going to be.
CATHY ENGLEBERT: The Indiana Fever select Caitlin Clark.
DUNCAN: It was a ratings record when nearly 2.5 million people tuned in to watch as former Iowa guard Caitlin Clark was drafted by the Indiana Fever.
When you look at the amount of revenue that the NBA is getting, they could move some of that money to the WNBA to invest.
A.J. ROSS: $76,000 is not enough for someone you are looking to be the face of the league going forward. No other professional sports league would do something like that, and it's a shame.
DUNCAN: The 22-year-old’s endorsement deals in college were worth more than $3 million. She'll now get a base salary as a rookie capped at $76,535. Last year's NBA number one draft pick, Victor Wembanyama, earned over $12 million. But the revenue from both leagues is not comparable. Last season, the WNBA brought in a reported $200 million…
SPORTSCASTER: Ooh, look at this!
DUNCAN: …while the NBA took in an estimated $10 billion. Clark's popularity could spark a change, enabling the player to get more revenue in their collective bargaining agreements and TV broadcast contracts. Both are up for renewal this year.
CLARK: Obviously the new media rights deal, that can be negotiated, can be life changing for a lot of players in this league.
DUNCAN: Which could be a welcome slam-dunk for everyone. Jericka Duncan, CBS News, New York.