In a surprising and lighthearted moment, Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark playfully poked fun at the financial practices of her Indiana Fever teammates during a recent interview.
Clark, who was drafted by the Fever in the 2023 WNBA draft, joked that her teammates’ spending habits were “a little reckless” and that she was “trying to teach them how to budget.”
“I mean, have you seen the way they spend money on shoes?” Clark said with a laugh. “I’m like, ‘Guys, you can’t just buy a new pair of Jordans every week!'”
Clark’s comments were met with laughter and playful teasing from her Fever teammates, who took to social media to defend their shopping habits.
“Hey @CaitlinClark, we’re not reckless, we’re just investing in our shoe game,” tweeted Fever forward, NaLyssa Smith.
Despite the lighthearted joking, Clark’s comments highlight the importance of financial literacy and responsible spending habits, especially for young athletes who may be managing large sums of money for the first time.
As a rookie in the WNBA, Clark is likely earning a salary in the range of $60,000 to $80,000 per year, plus endorsements and bonuses. While this is a significant amount of money, it’s still important for Clark and her teammates to prioritize saving, investing, and responsible spending in order to set themselves up for long-term financial success.
