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Myth or reality: Will Caitlin Clark take a pay cut going to the WNBA?

The scorching-hot takes started flying even before Caitlin Clark hoisted her first impossibly deep 3-pointer this season.

On college basketball’s opening day last November, TNT’s studio commentators speculated that Clark could earn more money by returning to Iowa for a fifth season than by beginning her pro career as the WNBA’s No. 1 draft pick this spring.

“She’s going to have to take a pay cut when she goes to the WNBA,” 14-year NBA veteran Brendan Haywood confidently declared.

Renee Montgomery, a former WNBA all-star and current part-owner of the Atlanta Dream, lent credibility to Haywood when she laughed and responded, “It’s an unfortunate fact.