Caitlin Clark's arrival via commercial flight ahead of pro debut reignites controversy over treatment of WNBA star - following criticism of her surprisingly low salary

Caitlin Clark's arrival in Dallas ahead of her pro debut has reignited discussion surrounding the treatment of WNBA players, as the Indiana Fever's No. 1 pick and her teammates stepped off a commercial flight prior to their game.

Per the league's collective bargaining agreement, which was negotiated in 2020 when Clark was still in school, WNBA teams primarily fly commercially to and from games - which differs from the NBA's policy of chartering planes.

Thus, it was striking to see Clark walking past the baggage claim at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, in footage posted to X by WFAA's Matt Howerton.

In response, many fans expressed their belief that Clark and her Fever teammates should be flying private.

 '... Owners gotta do better,' one said.

The league's current CBA runs until 2027, though there is an option to end it sooner.

The footage comes after President Biden urged the WNBA to pay its players 'their fair share.'

'Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all. But right now we're seeing that even if you're the best, women are not paid their fair share,' Biden wrote in a post on X.

'It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.'

After Clark was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever, it emerged that her rookie year base salary would be just $76,535.

However, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert insisted that the former Iowa star could actually make up to $500,000 all-in with bonuses included.

'[For a] CEO, do you just put the base pay in there? No, you put their bonus, you put their stock options, you put everything,' Engelbert said at a CNBC Changemakers event, according to NJ.com.

'Caitlin has the ability to make up to a half of a million dollars just in WNBA wages this year, so they're just looking at a base, which is collectively bargained and [what is reported is] actually is low, because she's the No. 1 pick.'

Clark also inked a reported eight-year, $28million deal with Nike, who gave her her own shoe as well.