3 reasons why Caitlin Clark should not play overseas in WNBA offseason

WNBA star rookie Caitlin Clark has made waves in the league, having played just half a season yet. She has already broken various records in the WNBA and keeps getting better as she gets comfortable playing professionally.

With half the season left in her rookie year in the WNBA, the first overall pick of the 2024 Draft will likely consider if she should take her talents to other leagues worldwide during the WNBA offseason.

The decision to play overseas will require her to make a substantial commitment of time and effort to balance alongside the WNBA, which brings the question of whether she needs to play overseas.

While the decision will come down to whether she wants to or not, here are three reasons why Clark shouldn't play overseason in the offseason.

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Three reasons why Caitlin Clark shouldn't play overseas in WNBA offseason

#1 Limited financial upside

Unlike the NBA, which offers handsome salaries to its players, WNBA players often play overseas during the offseason to supplement their income from the league, which is an average of $102,000 per year.

However, Caitlin Clark doesn't need to play overseas for financial gain, as she would likely not earn as much compared to the amount she could earn if she focuses on brand deals in the offseason.

Clark has built up immense brand value for herself, which brings her various brand deals, which earn her a lot more than her WNBA salary. Even before she played her first WNBA game, she signed a lucrative eight-year $28 million shoe deal with Nike.

That made her one of the few players in the league to have a signature shoe deal. She has also racked up many other endorsement deals from brands, including Gatorade, State Farm and more.

Moreover, since Caitlin Clark's arrival into the league, the WNBA has meteorically risen in popularity, which got them an estimated $2.2 billion deal for its media rights package over the next 11 years.

The deal is anticipated to lead to a hike in WNBA player salaries, which is likely to keep increasing as the league keeps garnering more and more prominence.

#2 Risk of injury

Caitlin Clark has often reportedly been a target for WNBA players as they hike up their physicality around her during games. Various examples of the same have taken place in the first half of her rookie season, which has often resulted in foul plays.

Playing overseas during the offseason would bring with it the risk of injury during, which may hamper Clark during the WNBA season.

#3 Marginal improvement in play

Many may argue that Caitlin Clark could improve her game if she takes her talents overseas and competes in the offseason as well.

However, the improvement will likely be marginal, which she could achieve anyway if she plays in the WNBA player-owned league - Unrivaled - which would further offer her equity if she opts to join.

The Indiana Fever star is already playing among the best in the world in the WNBA, so playing overseas will likely not match the skill improvement that she's acquiring by focusing on the WNBA.