Topics: Basketball, NBA, WNBA
Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy has made his thoughts on Caitlin Clark and the WNBA clear as the gender pay gap between women’s basketball and their male counterparts in the NBA continues to rumble on.
Clark has been outspoken in the gulf in pay between both male and female basketball players, including wearing a t-shirt with the phrase “Pay Us What You Owe Us” during the warm ups last month.
It’s not the first time WNBA players have used their platform to make a public, collective stand, doing so in 2020 in support of Black Lives Matter and again in 2022, where during the second half of the All-Star Game, they sported Brittney Griner jerseys while she was detained in Russia.
And now Cousy has made his thoughts clear on Clark and the WNBA after players used the All-Star Game earlier this year to highlight pay parity.
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Having celebrated his 97th birthday over the weekend, Cousy was asked whether he watches the WNBA, to which he replied: “It’s a saleable product and [Caitlin] Clark’s done a really good job selling it. It’s enjoyable. My son-in-law is from Indiana and he’s a Clark fan. She’s exceptional."
He added: “She’s had a tremendous impact on that league and their earning potential. They should be kissing the ground she walks on, not trying to foul her and get her out of the game.”
Cousy played for the Celtics between 1950 and 1963, and the former Point Guard was key in a period of dominance from 1957. Both Cousy and Clark have parallels in their push for better standards for basketball players.
In 1954, the NBA had no health benefits, pension plan, minimum salary, and the average wage was just $8,000 per season.
Cousy organised the National Basketball Players Association to campaign for better conditions, and served as the union’s president until 1958.
However, up until 1957, the NBA refused to acknowledge the NBPA, and it wasn’t until Cousy approached the AFL-CIO and threatened a strike that the union was formally recognised.
At the weekend, the Fever took on the Chicago Sky and eased to a 92-70 win to remain fifth in the eastern conference.
However, both Clark and Angel Reese missed the hotly anticipated rematch due to injury, which will have disappointed fans and neutrals alike.
Clark is still struggling with a groin problem, while Reese missed her fifth game in succession owing to a back issue.
Many had hoped to see the pair back on the court again for the first time since the infamous 'grab' incident earlier in the season.
However, fans will have to wait a little longer to see the WNBA stars lock horns once, with the Fever next taking on the Sky next month.
