I’m already annoyed by this conversation because for years, WNBA players have fought for more money. And when they were outspoken, so many of y’all told them to shut up or reminded them how they had no value The NBA has had 50+ years of investment, media coverage, etc. After 27 years, the WNBA will not be the current NBA. So stop comparing them. Further context: This salary is for four months of basketball (40 games). Players also receive a free apartment + car. That doesn’t make the salaries acceptable, but now you know why so many women’s players play overseas to boost/supplement their income. Weaponizing this information against WNBA players is another form of misogyny. These women have been dreaming of playing professionally in front of American audiences their whole lives. Instead of clowning and reminding them of what they’re not — buy the merchandise, go to the games, and watch the games on television. Very easy to criticize when most of y’all couldn’t get paid to compete at anything.
I’m already annoyed by this conversation because for years, WNBA players have fought for more money. And when they were outspoken, so many of y’all told them to shut up or reminded them how they had no value The NBA has had 50+ years of investment, media coverage, etc. After 27 years, the WNBA will not be the current NBA. So stop comparing them. Further context: This salary is for four months of basketball (40 games). Players also receive a free apartment + car. That doesn’t make the salaries acceptable, but now you know why so many women’s players play overseas to boost/supplement their income. Weaponizing this information against WNBA players is another form of misogyny. These women have been dreaming of playing professionally in front of American audiences their whole lives. Instead of clowning and reminding them of what they’re not — buy the merchandise, go to the games, and watch the games on television. Very easy to criticize when most of y’all couldn’t get paid to compete at anything.
False frame. NBA players didn’t get to big $$ until it went mainstream - based on superstar players (Magic / Larry / Mike) and storylines. No amount of marketing $$ would *make* that happen. The marketing came after the opportunity showed. Players made small $$ for years when these elements were not present. They couldn’t demand more money that didn’t exist. WNBA gets $$ from NBA — so they can demand what the league does not earn and feel justified by comparing men to women. As you’re doing here. (In the long run, it will work.) The W salaries are not only acceptable, but - based on the increases implemented a few seasons ago - more than what makes financial sense. How are workers demanding a raise when the biz isn’t making money? And getting it!? Just because you can compare NBA to WNBA, this false position exists that the players “deserve” more. Salaries are more than fair.
@jemelehill Solid post. But would be a tough pill to swallow if I took a pay cut to go to the pros
@jemelehill Loved seeing you on @11thHour, great insight. On another note, where did you get the Motown shirt? I need one!
@jemelehill The NBA bails them out year after year.
@jemelehill The league doesn't make money. In fact, it's lost at least 10 million dollars every year since its inception.
are people seriously looking at this number and saying the end product is trash without watching? A’ja is better than 50% minimum of NBA players. everyone should see these numbers and ask how Grayson allen of the suns makes $69.7M more than caitlin clark in the same amount of time: 4 years. Point blank.