Caitlin Clark, a professional basketball player in the WNBA, is investing in a bid for a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team in Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati announced. Clark is one of three finalists, along with Cleveland and Denver, for an NWSL expansion team.
The value of Clark’s investment is not publicly disclosed, but it is believed to be significant, as an NWSL franchise is valued at an average of $104 million, with the Chicago Red Stars being the lowest valued at $53 million. If Clark’s investment is anywhere close to 1% of the typical franchise value, it would eclipse her entire annual WNBA salary.
Clark has a net worth of $76,535, which she earned from her WNBA rookie contract, and will earn $78,066 in her second year. She has also turned down opportunities to play professional basketball in Europe and join a new 3-on-3 league for a reported $1 million. Clark has instead focused on attending Taylor Swift concerts and college basketball games.
Clark’s additional income streams come from endorsement deals, including a $28 million agreement with Nike, as well as partnerships with Gatorade, Wilson Sporting Goods, Bose, State Farm, Buick, H&R Block, Topps, and Goldman Sachs. She even has her own cereal, “Caitlin’s Crunch Time”, with Hy-Vee.
If FC Cincinnati is granted the NWSL expansion team, Clark’s presence as an investor could sway the decision. The median household income in Cincinnati is $54,314, with more than half of residents being women, making the city a potential haven for a professional women’s soccer team.