NIL deals for female athletes prove to be even more important amidst salary gap debate

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — "A lot of people have been so excited about women’s sports, so to see that discrepancy, it was very jarring to a lot of people," Luke Fedlam, a Partner and Head of Sports Law at Porter Wright said.

Fedlam is referring to the salary gap between players drafted in the NBA vs. WNBA. The topic took center stage last week after Caitlin Clark was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft.

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With her four-year rookie contract, Clark would receive $338,056. Last year's No. 1 NBA draft pick, Victor Wembanyama, signed a four-year $55 million rookie deal with the San Antonio Spurs.

"There is a significant discrepancy when it comes to the WNBA and the NBA," Fedlam said. "But we have to understand where that comes from. There is a significant amount of media dollars that go into the NBA vs. the WNBA. Women's basketball is so hot right now so as you can imagine, as things continue to grow, the next media deal that the WNBA gets is going to be significant. But it is shocking when you first see just numbers comparing the two leagues."

Fedlam is an expert in 'Name, Imagine and Likeness' (NIL), which is changing the game for collegiate athletics. NIL gives athletes the ability to become paid endorsers and monetize their success outside of their school-funded scholarships and benefits.

Fedlam said NIL will help athletes well beyond their collegiate careers, regardless if they go pro.

"NIL is a conduit to teach life skills," Fedlam said. "A student-athlete in college doing NIL deals has an opportunity to learn about budgeting, about money, about finances, and taxes. Understanding those things in college really does set up a student-athlete for success when they are done."

While Clark's four-year deal with the Indiana Fever has drawn criticism, Fedlam said her NIL proves it will continue to benefit her on the WNBA stage. The record-breaking athlete reportedly preparing to sign a major deal with Nike.

"Women athletes are very marketable and we see that at the college level," Fedlam said. "Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese doing national deals shows that will translate into the pro level as well. What companies have seen at the college level is that these women athletes have helped their businesses and that will continue into the WNBA."

Ohio State volleyball player Sydney Taylor said athletes, like Clark, have been an inspiration to her and showcase the opportunities NIL can provide every athlete.

"If she is worthy of that deal, then so am I," Taylor said about Clark. "I don’t have ten thousand followers on Instagram, I am not the biggest star in women’s volleyball, but none of that matters. I am still able to still be successful in the NIL space and that is because of my values, my personality and my character."

Your deal can be small. It doesn’t have to be big. It's about the relationships you create within those deals. - Sydney Taylor

The junior defensive specialist said the opportunities she has already gotten through her NIL, will help her once she graduates from OSU and begins her career.

"I have learned so much in the NIL space," Taylor said. "Just being able to be more professional with businesses and representing myself in a way that I want others to see. All those things will help me down the road."

Taylor said she is grateful to be a playing a sport at OSU at a time when there is so much support for women's athletics.

"I know right now it's not perfect," Taylor said. "But we have to start somewhere and these female athletes are helping set the standard."