NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has proposed a divisive new strategy aimed at boosting the market value for women’s basketball players like Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever star had a remarkable debut season in the WNBA, setting numerous records and securing the Rookie of the Year title. Despite her rapid rise to fame, Clark’s earnings remain modest in comparison to her male counterparts. Her base salary for her first professional season was a mere £59,000, while Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry earned close to £43 million during the same period. O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion, believes he has a straightforward, though controversial, solution to bridge this financial gap.
During an appearance on the *Unapologetically Angel* podcast, O’Neal shared his unorthodox idea. “I have a solution for that… nobody’s gonna like my solution. A lot of people are going to comment, they are going to hate this, but there’s only one thing missing,” he remarked. The LA Lakers icon suggested lowering the rims in the WNBA, a concept similar to the adjusted net height in women’s beach volleyball. He elaborated, “It’s about seeing stuff you ain’t supposed to see. Why do you think people love Caitlin Clark? Besides her skills?”
Angel Reese, the podcast host and a rookie standout with the Chicago Sky, was quick to express her disapproval. Reese, who has been outspoken about the pay disparity in women’s basketball, found O’Neal’s suggestion dismissive. “I really hate it when men say that,” she retorted. “People always disrespect women regardless. They are always not going to give us the same value as a man.” While O’Neal acknowledged differences between men’s and women’s play, even likening some WNBA games to high school competitions, he also managed to lighten the mood with a joking comment: “A pretty girl dunking on the rim, I would watch that all day,” drawing a laugh from Reese.
Reese, who set the WNBA single-season record for rebounds in 2024, has found a way to supplement her income during the off-season. She is set to join the newly established Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, which guarantees each player a minimum six-figure salary. The league kicks off in Miami in January and has already secured a broadcasting deal with TNT Sports. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark, despite her relatively low WNBA salary, has built a reported net worth of £2.9 million through lucrative endorsement deals. It remains to be seen if she will participate in the new league.
