University of Iowa basketball player discusses growing NIL gender pay gap

The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation gap between men’s and women’s NCAA athletes is widening, according to new data released by Opendorse on Monday.

The difference between female and male payment grew by more than 4% over the past two months, with men on Division 1 teams accounting for 71.7% of the compensation while women earned 28.3%.

The University of Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark believes the discrepancy comes down to big brands choosing not to partner with female athletes.

“I think we just haven’t been given those opportunities,” Clark said on Yahoo Finance Live (video above).

Data indicates that Clark may be onto something: Football, baseball, and men’s basketball lead all NIL activities, per Opendorse, and account for nearly half of all NIL activity, while women’s basketball represents less than 5%.

The differences between NCAA men’s and women’s athletics go beyond just NIL. Clark highlighted the 2021 NCAA basketball tournaments as a prime example.

During that series, University Oregon women’s basketball player Sedona Prince used her large following on TikTok to reveal stark differences between the men’s and women’s workout facilities. The men’s gym included several squat racks, free weights, and other exercise equipment, while the women’s teams were left with just a few sets of dumbbells.

That experience is part of what motivated Clark to partner with H&R Block (HRB). Clark, who was recently named the Big Ten Player of the Year, is one of several players across various sports that will split a $1-million commitment from H&R Block to support women’s athletes.

“Living the inequities obviously last year at the NCAA tournament … living that firsthand while we were in San Antonio, I think it's something that I'm passionate about and I've experienced firsthand,” Clark said. “I have great knowledge on it and obviously H&R Block is passionate about it too. So when they asked me to be a part of their campaign, it was something I really wanted to be a part of and really use my voice to take on.”

Titled a “Fair Shot,” H&R Block’s NIL program includes sponsorship payment as well as expert advice on tax preparation and filing and facilitating volunteer opportunities with brands focused on supporting gender equity across the sports landscape — overall, male NCAA athletes have garnered 67.3% of total NIL compensation, according to Opendorse.

“These inequities are something I’ve kind of lived throughout my college experience,” Clark said. “And only being in college for two years and is something I can use my voice and my platform to do. So it was an easy yes for me to partner with them.”

Josh is a producer for Yahoo Finance.

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