Less than a week after serving as a credentialed photographer during an Indiana Pacers game, Caitlin Clark was back at a NBA game in a media capacity.
The former Iowa women’s basketball star joined host Maria Taylor and former pro players-turned-analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady for pregame commentary on NBC Sports’ “Basketball Night in America” on Sunday, March. 29 The coverage led up to an Oklahoma City Thunder home game versus the New York Knicks, which the Thunder won 111-100.
Here are three takeaways from Clark’s second appearance on “Basketball Night in America.”
Caitlin Clark on WNBA reaching new CBA: ‘It shows we’re truly valued’
The 24-year-old’s appearance on NBC marked her first public comments on the WNBA and players’ union reaching a new collective bargaining agreement on March 20, after roughly 17 months of negotiations.
When Taylor asked what she thought was the most impactful change from the deal, Clark was not hesitant in her response.
“I think the salary and revenue sharing, I think it’s as simple as that,” she said. “I think it sets a precedent for all of women’s sports going forward — not just women’s basketball — that we’re truly valued and the product that we put on the floor is truly valued.”
The team salary cap, which limits how much each franchise can spend on player salaries, will jump from $1.5 million in 2025 to $7 million in 2026, according to the CBA. The deal raises the average WNBA salary from $119,590 in 2025 to roughly $583,000 in 2026. Clark’s salary is expected to jump from $78,066 in 2025 to $530,000 in 2026.
Caitlin Clark on WNBA team expansion
The new CBA marks a milestone in the WNBA’s 30-year history, reflecting the league’s growth and surge in popularity sparked in part by Clark’s arrival as the No. 1 overall pick in 2024. Besides the salary cap, the new CBA reshapes bonuses, roster sizes, housing benefits and outlines plans for more regular‑season games.
“There was less than 144 spots when I first showed up in the league and now we’re going to be at over 170,” Clark said. “… I’ve already heard from a lot of college players on this, like their dream is to really continue to play basketball because they know it’s a real opportunity now, and they also know they’re going to be compensated for it.”
The league’s roster expansion is a result of the WNBA adding two new teams in 2026 — the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo — following the addition of the Golden State Valkyries in 2025. This expansion will ultimately bring the WNBA to 18 teams by 2030, with additional franchises set to launch in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030). The Connecticut Sun also has announced plans to relocate to Houston.
“I think expansion is a great thing. I’m excited to see where it goes,” Clark said.
When asked about her role in the growth of women’s basketball, Clark said she feels a responsibility to perform for the fans, many of whom come specifically to see stars like her play. However, she added that she “doesn’t always like to put that on myself.”
“I’m just very much myself. That’s how I tried to approach it,” she said. “This was never my goal to change women’s sports. I just showed up and I played and (have) loved every single second of it.”
Caitlin Clark reveals her favorite NBA player to watch
The second game of NBC’s “Basketball Night in America” featured the Denver Nuggets taking on the Golden State Warriors, and Clark and the pregame crew previewed the matchup.
Clark spoke about three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić’s return to the Nuggets after missing 16 games. due to injury. The former Hawkeye gave credit to the Serbian for seemingly not missing a beat since making his return on Jan. 30.
“He’s probably my favorite player to watch. I think he’s the best player in the world,” she said. “There aren’t many big players that can make the pass, make the right read, (and) he does it every single game. I think that’s what I love about him.”
Jokić finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists in Denver’s 116-93 win over the Warriors, two assists shy of his fifth straight triple-double. The Nuggets have won nine of their last 11 games and are fourth in the Western Conference with a 48-28 record.
After the game, Jokić was informed of Clark’s compliment and brushed it off jokingly.
“We have the same agent,” he said. “That’s why she said it.”
Both things may be true. Jokić and Clark are represented by Excel Sports Management, according to the IndyStar. Jokić is averaging 27.9 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.8 assists across 60 games played this season. He is currently fourth in NBA MVP odds according to BetMGM.
“There’s not many people that average a triple-double. You’re lucky enough to get a couple of those in a season, and he does it all year long,” Clark said. “It’s pretty incredible.”
When does the 2026 WNBA season start?
The 2026 WNBA season will begin Friday, May 8. Clark and the Indiana Fever tip off Saturday, May 9, against the Dallas Wings at noon CT.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Caitlin Clark talks new WNBA CBA, league expansion in NBC appearance
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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