Caitlin Clark is investing in the bid for a Cincinnati-based National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team, the FC Cincinnati investment group announced today.
“The NWSL Cincinnati Bid Team is excited to have Caitlin Clark join our ownership group as we aim to bring women's professional soccer to our city,” a team statement said.
“Her passion for sports, her commitment to improving women's sports in the Cincinnati metropolitan area and surrounding areas, her impact as an athlete, and as a role model for women and girls around the world have made her a great addition to Cincinnati. ” plays a key role in our ambitious goal of becoming the 16th team in the NWSL. ”
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Cincinnati is one of three finalists for an expansion bid, along with Cleveland and Denver.
Mr. Clark's contribution to the bid was not made public.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 17, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
According to 2024 Sportico data, the average value of a NWSL franchise is estimated at $104 million. Los Angeles' Angel City FC is the league's most valuable franchise at $250 million, while the Chicago Red Stars are the most valuable team at $53 million.
If Clark's investment is close to 1% of a typical franchise's total, that would easily be an investment that exceeds her entire WNBA salary.
Inside Caitlin Clark's impact on men's basketball
Clark earned $76,535 in the first year of his WNBA rookie contract. Next year, she will earn $78,066.
Clark had a chance to supplement his basketball income by participating in the WNBA's new offseason Unrivaled 3-on-3 league. Unrivaled reportedly offered Clark more than $1 million. But Clark refused. She, like other WNBA players, also turned down the opportunity to play professional basketball in Europe.
Clark briefly played amateur golf this offseason, but has otherwise focused on attending sporting events like a Taylor Swift concert and a college basketball game coached by her boyfriend at Butler University. Ta.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark looks at the bench and smiles during the second half of a game against the Dallas Wings on September 1, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
She will not participate in training camp for the WNBA's second season until April 2025.
However, Mr Clarke is believed to have many other sources of income through sponsorship deals.
Clark has an eight-year sponsorship deal with Nike worth about $28 million. The deal includes promotional appearances, product endorsements and marketing campaigns for Nike.
She has additional deals with Gatorade, Wilson Sporting Goods, Bose, State Farm, Buick, H&R Block, Topps, Shoot-A-Way, and Goldman Sachs.
She even has her own cereal, Caitlin's Crunch Time, made with Hy-Vee.
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Not much is known about Clark's lifestyle as she is very private about her spending habits. But we'll all know if she's betting on Cincinnati FC if they ultimately win the expansion franchise. Clark's presence as an investor could influence the decision.
Clark was recently photographed next to Swift on the cover of Time magazine's “Women Inspiring” special issue. 8 women Being in a leadership position involving multiple athletes.
15 Most-watched WNBA games All of them included Clark last season.
So if this turns her investment group into an NWSL team, her financial future could depend heavily on the willingness of the people of Cincinnati to embrace a women's professional soccer franchise.
Median household income in Cincinnati was $54,314 in 2023. In the Cincinnati metropolitan area, the median household income in 2022 is $75,062, slightly higher than the national median. More than half of Cincinnati's residents are women.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark walks to the basket while guarded by DeJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun Guard during the first round of the WNBA Basketball Playoffs on September 25, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Cincinnati does not have a WNBA team. However, there is a men's professional soccer team called FC Cincinnati from Major League Soccer. The only professional sports teams in the city are the NFL's Bengals and MLB's Reds.
Clark's biggest rival in the WNBA has already admitted that he has struggled with personal finances since turning pro.
Chicago Sky star Angel Reese admitted in a social media post in October that she can't afford to pay rent on her WNBA salary. Lease's entry-level salary at Sky is $73,439, which costs $96,000 a year with $8,000 a month in rent.
“I just want you all to know,” Reese told the audience. “The WNBA doesn't pay my bills at all. I don't even think it pays any of my bills. Literally. I'm trying to think of myself. Please tell me the rent for the place I am staying. Please let me calculate it quickly. ”
Once Reese understood her salary and payments, she added with a laugh:
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