President Joe Biden has entered the conversation regarding the glaring pay gap between male and female basketball players, advocating for equitable compensation for women athletes. In a statement posted on X, Biden emphasized the need to address the disparity in earnings, particularly in light of recent revelations about the stark contrast between WNBA and NBA rookie contracts.

Biden weighing in on X and calling for women to be 'paid what they deserve' as people sound off online over Caitlin Clark's first year earnings when compared to NBA rookies

Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all. But right now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, women are not paid their fair share,’ Biden wrote in a post on X.

Biden highlighted the groundbreaking achievements of women in sports, acknowledging their role in pushing boundaries and inspiring others. However, he underscored the injustice of women not receiving their fair share of compensation, even when they excel in their respective fields.

The announcement of 22-year-old basketball prodigy Caitlin Clark, selected as the first pick in the WNBA draft, earning just $76,535 in her rookie season with the Indiana Fever, sparked widespread outrage on the internet. This figure stands in stark contrast to the earnings of the No. 1 men’s draft pick, Victor Wembanyama, who received $12,160,680 in his first season with the San Antonio Spurs.

‘It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve,’ Biden wrote.

Biden concluded by asserting the importance of providing equal opportunities for female as well as male player, and ensuring that women receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.

Clark shoots against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the NCAA Championship on April 7.  18.7 million people tuned in to watch the game making it the most watched college women's basketball game ever and surpassing viewership for the men's championship game

Caitlin Clark’s extraordinary performance on the basketball court during this year’s NCAA tournament captivated the nation, with Iowa Hawkeyes games setting viewership records. In a historic moment, the NCAA women’s basketball championship garnered more viewers than the men’s game for the first time ever, drawing in 2.45 million viewers to witness Clark’s selection as the overall No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft, shattering previous viewership records.

Despite the immense spotlight on Clark, her earnings from her first-year WNBA contract pale in comparison to salaries earned by some NBA mascots. Over her four-year tenure with the Indiana Fever, Clark is set to earn a total of $338,056, with incremental increases each year. However, Clark is poised to capitalize on numerous commercial opportunities off the court, with her NIL (name, image, and likeness) value estimated at $3.4 million. Already boasting sponsorship deals with State Farm Insurance, Nike, Gatorade, Buick, Hy-Vee, and more, Clark’s off-court endeavors promise to supplement her WNBA income substantially.

Renowned for her stellar performance at Iowa, Clark now joins forces with last season’s No. 1 pick, Aliyah Boston, to rejuvenate the Indiana franchise. As the most accomplished college player in history, Clark’s ascent to stardom marks a new era for women’s basketball, solidifying her status as the sport’s newest superstar.