Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell used her season‑ending press conference on Saturday to describe the mixed experience of sharing the court with league sensation Caitlin Clark. While acknowledging the “a lot of flak” she receives simply for being on Clark’s team, Mitchell also highlighted the substantial financial benefits that have followed the star’s arrival.
Increased earnings tied to Clark’s popularity
Mitchell’s salary trajectory illustrates the economic impact of Clark’s draw. After earning under $60,000 in 2020, Mitchell’s pay rose to $206,000 the season before Clark entered the WNBA, and this year she secured a $1.4 million contract – a figure that exceeds her total earnings from her first eight seasons combined.
Spotrac records show Mitchell has earned $1,122,442 from 2018 through 2025. The new collective bargaining agreement raised the league’s maximum salary to $1.4 million, up from roughly $250,000 previously, positioning Mitchell for another seven‑figure deal in free agency.
Broader league growth benefits Fever players
Clark’s presence has lifted the entire league’s visibility. ESPN and ABC broadcast five regular‑season games this year, each drawing more than two million viewers, and all featured Indiana. Additional networks – CBS, NBC, ION and Prime Video – reported their highest regular‑season audiences for Fever matchups.
The Fever’s season‑ending playoff game against Las Vegas averaged 2.25 million viewers across USA Network and CNBC, making it the second‑most‑watched first‑round playoff game in WNBA history. The most‑watched first‑round game, in 2024, also featured Clark and the Fever.
Mitchell’s perspective on criticism and opportunity
When asked about the online messages she receives, Mitchell said, “I don’t think people really understand how much we endure, man,” and urged fans to extend grace to the players. She clarified that her comments were not aimed at Fever supporters specifically, but reflected the broader scrutiny that comes with being linked to the league’s biggest star.
Mitchell also praised the Fever organization, calling it “unbelievable,” and credited Clark and Angel Reese for opening doors to new resources and financial opportunities for all players.
Balancing the downside with the upside
While Mitchell emphasized the challenges of dealing with negative online attention, she also recognized that the same spotlight fuels higher salaries and greater exposure for the team. As she noted, the trade‑off of increased criticism is a common reality for public figures, and many athletes choose to embrace the larger platform.
Former WNBA guard Courtney Williams offered similar advice, urging players to “press the block button, bro” and to view the heightened attention as a chance to bring more eyes to the game.
Mitchell’s experience underscores a broader trend: as the WNBA’s audience expands, players benefit financially, even as they navigate the inevitable criticism that accompanies heightened fame.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
