When we discuss basketball history, the NBA draft class of '84, '96 and '03 will always be highly debated in terms of which one produced the greatest of all time - in 10-15 years, I do not doubt that the 2024 WNBA Draft class will be in the same conversation. (With Paige Bueckers being the only player who could've possibly added more weight). 

Unsurprisingly, Caitlin Clark was selected first overall - an inevitable choice by the Indiana Fever given the NCAA records we witnessed being broken by Clark during her 4-year tenure at Iowa. So anticipated is her arrival into the WNBA, that the subject of money has already been a topic of conversation, after all, the WNBA (like all pro sports) is a business. 

Pre-draft, there we reports of Indiana Fever tickets for the upcoming season already going up in price, and subsequently selling out. On draft night, we learnt the details of Clark's contract with the Fever - a four-year deal of $338,056. To give some context here, LeBron James' first NBA contract was $18.78 million - and that was over 20 years ago.

Of course, this all opens a huge conversation about the pay disparity between NBA and WNBA players, and it's a conversation worth having. As we've already mentioned, professional sports is a business, and one where the revenue generated through viewers and subsequent sponsors determines the amount that players are paid. 

Until now, unfortunately, the WNBA hasn't seen consistent support from fans. Even top-tier names such as Breanna and A'ja Wilson haven't been able to translate their talent into ticket sales. 

This year's draft had a different edge, though. More than just talent, there is not only a different attitude towards the players being drafted but a notable assurance exuded from the players themselves. 

Of recent, NCAA women's games have been must-watch television, more so than any other league. Fans have been invested in the personalities on the court and their stories away from the hardwood more than ever before.