Hoda Kotb & Caitlin ClarkJohn Nacion, Getty Images / Matthew Holst, Getty Images Sports
In the realm of professional sports, a disturbing detail often overlooked is back in the spotlight, thanks to Hoda Kotb, co-anchor of NBC’s Today show. Highlighting the significant pay gap between the WNBA and NBA, Kotb’s comments on Caitlin Clark‘s WNBA salary have reignited discussions on this long-standing issue.
Clark, who was the top pick in the WNBA draft on Monday, signed a four-year deal with the Indiana Fever worth $338,000. To put this into perspective, Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, bagged a deal with the San Antonio Spurs worth a staggering $55 million. “For somebody who is now the face of women’s basketball, it seemed kind of ridiculous,” Kotb expressed her dismay on Today.
“There’s just something about this that’s so disturbing,” Kotb added, highlighting the stark contrast between the two leagues’ pay scales. She paints a vivid picture of young fans idolizing Clark, only to learn that the apex of women’s professional basketball success is only worth .61% of their NBA counterparts.
Later on Tuesday, during Today Show with Hoda & Jenna, Kotb shared her initial excitement and subsequent disappointment upon discovering Clark’s starting salary. “I was like, ‘Ah! What’s she gonna get paid?’ And then I saw it, and I was like, ‘This can’t be right,’” she recounted.
Jenna Bush Hager, Kotb’s co-anchor, echoed the sentiment, labeling the pay gap as “jarring.” Kotb, reflecting on her own career, described the situation as “like picking at an old scab for many women,” drawing parallels between the pay disparities in sports and those in other professions.
The conversation doesn’t end with Clark or the WNBA. This issue permeates through tennis, soccer, and virtually every corner where women play professionally. Kotb’s words are a stark reminder of the societal valuation of women’s professional achievements. It’s not just about sports; it’s about recognizing and valuing talent and hard work, regardless of gender. While we celebrate the steps taken toward equality, conversations like Kotb’s remind us of the long and winding road ahead. True equality seems to be more of a marathon than a sprint, and it’s time we all picked up the pace.
