Darren Rovell Can't Stop Being Wrong About Caitlin Clark's NIL Deals

Caitlin Clark is an absolute superstar, and maybe the attraction in women's college basketball history. On Thursday, Clark announced this would be her final season and that she would enter the WNBA draft when it ends. Never one to just let someone have a nice moment, Darren Rovell immediately jumped in to dump on Clark with a stupid remark. Then continued to be as wrong as possible about her.
Here's Clark's announcement of her intention to turn pro:
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) February 29, 2024
Here's Rovell's response:
Headline:
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 29, 2024
Caitlin Clark chooses a $750,000 paycut. https://t.co/UIe0G83bt6
When it was pointed out to him that this was stupid because Clark's big sponsorships will likely continue at the next level, Rovell kept making a fool of himself:
$800,000 at Iowa on what is essentially a salary.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 29, 2024
$80,000 in WNBA.
I didn’t say anything about endorsements. https://t.co/rbLBzCWtiC
Many ripped Rovell for that response and tried to straighten him out. He just kept plowing ahead:
I see a lot of people still don’t understand how NIL works. In most cases, the schools are paying these kids through collectives. Most get paid to show up at charitable events for the money. That is a salary.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 29, 2024
It was quickly pointed out to him that Clark doesn't take any money from Iowa's collective and instead all of her NIL money comes from sponsorships. You'd think a "sports business reporter" would know that, but I digress.
Instead of admitting he was wrong and didn't know the details of Clark's income, Rovell kept making a fool of himself:
Diff conversation this year
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 29, 2024
Then, as if to deflect, he posted the following:
Peak viewership of:
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 29, 2024
This year’s WNBA Finals: 1.3 million.
Last year’s women’s NCAA Tournament Final: 12.6 million.
I don't think he made the point he was trying to. Clark was a large reason why that NCAA title game did such big viewership. People would watch her in the WNBA too.
It was a day full of Ls for Rovell.