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WNBA Star Satou Sabally Applauds Caitlin Clark’s Impact, Urges Greater Equity in Women’s Sports
In a candid and powerful statement, WNBA forward Satou Sabally praised rising basketball star Caitlin Clark, emphasizing her transformative role in women’s sports while calling for broader changes in how female athletes are recognized and compensated. Sabally’s comments come at a time when Clark, the sensational guard from Iowa, has captured the nation’s attention with her electrifying performances and outsized influence on the sport.
**”Caitlin Clark is the Face of Women’s Basketball”**
As the top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Caitlin Clark has quickly become a household name, known for her scoring prowess, leadership, and fierce competitive spirit. But it’s not just her on-court skills that have made headlines—her ability to attract fans and generate revenue is also drawing attention.
Sabally, herself a star in the WNBA and a prominent advocate for women’s equality, sees Clark as a symbol of what women’s sports can become when given the proper platform. “You’re the No. 1 pick. People are going to go after you,” Sabally remarked in a recent interview. “Whether it’s for the right or wrong reasons, whether it’s because they see greatness in you… There’s just so much more to the WNBA than Caitlin. But Caitlin is the face right now, and that’s also good.”
Clark has been instrumental in selling out arenas, drawing record-breaking crowds not only at the collegiate level but also with her highly anticipated transition to the professional ranks. Her name has become synonymous with a surge in popularity for women’s basketball, attracting fans from all walks of life who are captivated by her game. Sabally recognizes this, stating, “She is selling out gyms. Why would you hate against that?… She is her own economy, and that is amazing.”
**A Call for Equity Across the Board**
However, Sabally’s praise extends beyond the individual success of Clark. She sees Clark as a blueprint for what women’s sports could look like if more athletes received the recognition and compensation they deserve. “She is being paid her worth,” Sabally noted, alluding to Clark’s endorsement deals and growing financial influence. “And now we need to get other women on board to get paid their worth.”
The issue of pay disparity in women’s sports has been a long-standing debate, with female athletes often making only a fraction of what their male counterparts earn, even in similar roles. Sabally believes that the success of athletes like Clark should be a wake-up call for the industry to do better. “Because she’s the reflection of what should happen in women’s sports,” Sabally concluded.
In recent years, the WNBA has made strides toward better pay and working conditions for its players, including the landmark 2020 collective bargaining agreement that increased salaries, improved travel conditions, and offered enhanced maternity benefits. Still, many players argue that more needs to be done, not just in the WNBA but across women’s sports globally.
**A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats**
For Sabally, Clark’s meteoric rise is proof that women’s sports are on the cusp of something much larger—a tidal wave of interest and investment that could change the landscape for generations to come. “She is being paid her worth. And now we need to get other women on board to get paid their worth,” Sabally urged.
As more attention is focused on women’s sports, driven in part by the success of stars like Clark, the hope is that this momentum will translate into tangible progress for all female athletes. Sabally’s comments serve as both a celebration of what has been achieved and a rallying cry for what is still possible. “Caitlin is a reflection of what can happen when women are given the right opportunities,” Sabally said, underscoring the potential for growth not just for individual players, but for the entire industry.
As Caitlin Clark continues to captivate the sports world, Sabally’s words offer a reminder that her success is not just about one athlete but about the future of women’s sports as a whole. And if Sabally’s vision becomes reality, that future looks brighter than ever.
