Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are overpaid with their new $70K-plus WNBA contracts and critics are trying to give them a sense of entitlement, like retired soccer star Megan Rapinoe, according to conservative sports commentator Jason Whitlock. 

Clark and Reese were arguably the two biggest stars in women’s college basketball this past season, with unprecedented ratings coming to the sport.

Clark and Iowa’s final three games of the NCAA Tournament, including an Elite Eight matchup against Reese’s LSU squad, each set the record for the most-watch women’s college basketball game of all-time.

Still, some are unpleased with Clark’s rookie-year contract with the Indiana Fever of around $76,000, and Reese’s $73,000 deal with the Chicago Sky.

Whitlock warns that Clark and Reese giving the impression they’re owed something would be horrible for them.

Caitlin Clark was drafted by the Indiana Fever at No 1 overall in Monday’s WNBA Draft

Angel Reese was drafted by the Chicago Sky and was immensely popular while playing for LSU

In 30 years, the WNBA has never once turned a profit. The women are overpaid already at $75K a year. They’re trying to create a sense of entitlement in these women. — Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) April 17, 2024

In 30 years, the WNBA has never once turned a profit. The women are overpaid already at $75K a year. They’re trying to create a sense of entitlement in these women.

pic.twitter.com/uj2aL9bgqU

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) April 17, 2024

Rapinoe has been a face for equal treatment and pay for women’s sports since drawing the ire of former President Donald Trump during the 2019 FIFA World Cup, where she was named the tournament’s best player.

Rapinoe was the 2019 tournament’s co-top goal scorer and converted the game-winning penalty-kick goal that helped the United States women’s national team win their fourth World Cup..

‘What they’re trying to create in these women is a sense of entitlement. “Oh, you’re owed something, you’re mistreated. You know what, you should be just like Megan Rapinoe!”‘ Whitlock stated.

‘”You should be just like all the angry feminists that have dominated the WNBA and led it to 30-plus years of no profits and total irrelevance. You need too mimic their behavior,”‘ Whitlock continued.

Whitlock has been a critic of Megan Rapinoe for years because of her standing up for women

Rapinoe is one of the biggest supporters in sports of equal pay and treatment for women

Whitlock also believes the WNBA was given a gift in Reese’s likability by her entering the league, which he hopes they do not squander.

Whitlock did not mention the likability of Clark.

‘We haven’t been unfair to women,’ Whitlock declared. ‘You don’t have to believe every lie told over Twitter or told on some college campus.’

The average WNBA base salary last season was $113,295, with the league’s highest-earners approaching $250,000 per season.

Chloe Kitts: “We never have doubts because our Coach doesn’t have doubts”.

Video below!

Chloe Kitts Talks Growth In Year Two And Current State Of WBB

Chloe Kitts has been on a journey since joining South Carolina’s women’s basketball program. I had a conversation with her to see how that journey has unfolded.

Chloe Kitts has shown a lot of growth in her Sophomore season at South Carolina. Even if you haven’t watched the Gamecocks this year, by now, you’ve heard about her story of leaving high school midway through last season.

The master plan of the early enrollment was led by Coach Dawn Staley and co-signed by Kitts and her family.

Hardly seeing the floor her freshman year, averaging 7 minutes per game, she found herself learning more of the “Gamecock way” than making plays.

Coach Staley has built a steady pipeline of talented young women, but the way she instills in them the need to nurture each other’s dreams along their journeys is heartwarming.

Brea Beal was Kitts’ sister from another mother who made sure she acclimated to her new student-athlete life.

“Brea took me under her wing; if I needed to go anywhere, she would take me places; she would always make sure that I was okay and that I ate,” Kitts said.

“She checked to see how I [was] mentally; it wasn’t always just about basketball with her. She’s just a great person, and I was very happy to have her as a roommate,” she added.

Fast forwarding to the present day, Kitts is in the thick of the rotation for Coach Staley’s squad, averaging 19 minutes per game and even having a hot start in the biggest game of the season against LSU. The sophomore scored 7 of the first 11 points against the Tigers. How did she get her team going in an intense game?

“I decided to start attacking the basket.” “When we were out there, we struggled to score at the beginning of the game, and I knew that I needed to help, and my teammates kept feeding me and kept telling me to be aggressive,” Kitts answered.

The Growth of Popularity For Women’s Basketball

What made that night even more special was the fact that South Carolina’s showdown versus LSU had more ratings than the Boston Celtics vs Miami game in the NBA, which aired 30 minutes earlier.

“When I saw the numbers of how many people watched the game, I was surprised.

Not a lot of people are interested in women’s basketball – so, to me, it was like, ‘Wow, this many people just watched our game, and they’re all interested in us,’” Kitts said. “It’s been interesting to see how much the game has changed over time,” she added.

With popularity and skill level at younger ages on the rise, is it time for the NCAA to lower the draft eligibility age from 22 for college women’s athletes? Chloe gave her opinion on the matter.

“I’m not really against the rule, [because] now, with NIL, we can make money. In the WNBA, it’s not a crazy salary,” Kitts stated.

Still somewhat trying to get into her groove, Kitts still has another gear in her game that hasn’t been reached yet. Her perimeter play made her an elite recruit in the 2023 class; her two favorite players are WNBA star Breanna Stewart and NBA star Kevin Durant.

Being a senior is a hectic job in the world of college basketball. Clearly, many players come face-to-face with the dilemma of coming back for another year or turning pro.

While for most, it’s time to step into the limelight of the WNBA, others prefer to stay and lead their respective programs to new heights. Among the latter is South Carolina’s 5′ 9″ guard Te-Hina Paopao.

The 21-year-old dropped a major announcement regarding her availability for the WNBA draft. Apparently, the news caught the attention of the Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum.

The two-time WNBA champion took part in spreading a major decision taken by Te-Hina Paopao recently. Seemingly, she shared a post of the’ espnw’ on her story stating that Paopao will be returning for another year of college basketball with the Gamecocks.

The post read, “Breaking: Te-Hina Paopao is returning to South Carolina for her fifth year of college, she announced on social media.”

Earlier, the dynamic No.0 of South Carolina celebrated her senior day in style. She walked down on the court proudly honoring her Polynesian culture and heritage.

Moreover, Te-Hina Paopao received a very warm hug from head coach Dawn Staley. Also, Paopao had quite a productive night as she bagged 14 points to go with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

As it turns out, she becomes the second prominent name after UConn’s Paige Bueckers to take her name out of the upcoming draft.

There is no doubt that she will be an excellent addition to the team next year as well. Her current stats are further proof of how good she really is once she steps on the court with the ball in hand.

What do the numbers say?

One of Dawn Staley’s prized players, Te-Hina Paopao came to South Carolina after spending 3 seasons with the Ducks. Consequently, her debut season under Staley is turning out to be an effective one.

In the 28 games played so far, she has scored a total of 321 points at an average of 11.5 points per contest. Moreover, she maintains a field goal percentage of 48.3 and has the best numbers on the team when it comes to delivering free throws (84%).

In addition to this, she also holds a staggering 48.3% accuracy from the 3-point range. As a result, this makes her the best shooter from beyond the arc.

Fans will be glad to hear such delightful news coming out of South Carolina’s camps. While Paopao has shown what she can do, everyone will still be eager what else she can offer next year. It appears that Dawn Staley knows how to get the best out of her players.