why wnba players should be paid more
And that's a 7 percent increase. Cant pay them the same as NBA players, thats just daylight fraud, Nate Jun 3, 2022 at 3:22 pm. The NBA makes a profit. On average, WNBA players make $75,000 a year in the league, with only a few players earning as much as $113,000. Lets look beyond skill and size. It felt like records were set on an almost weekly basis. So female basketball players work just as hard as male basketball players, yet even the best WNBA players are paid much less than the mediocre and below average NBA ones. Of course TV ratings themselves are less important to this topic than dollars attached to theirtelevision contracts, and to theWNBAs credit, ESPN doubled the value of their contract with the league to $25 million a year in 2016. Read about a Freshman's upcoming book (Here), Read about The Pines coming to Bellwood (Here), Read about the NHS Easter egg hunt (Here), Light It Up Blue BluePrints Autism Awareness Initiative. For example some people think that women aren't good enough to get paid more because men are faster, stronger, and more athletic (www.cnn.com.girls basketball). When it comes to me and my opinions, I strongly believe women should be paid the same amount as men maybe even more. 154M. For example,last month theWNBAaveraged 250,000 viewers per game with a high of 378,000. So playing womens basketball overseas is way better. I don't want to get paid more overseas. WNBA players, who continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with the league, also have been outspoken about the wage gap between their pay and that of the men's teams. Nancy Lough does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. The average womans salary year-round is approximately $200,000, while the average man earns $7.5 million or more. Last week, this exciting season of the WNBA ended after the Seattle Storm swept the Washington Mystics to win their third championship. This is evident in the lack of "highlight" plays that the WNBA is able to offer up. This is the first time salaries for women in the WNBA will achieve an average salary that is six figures (Glamour). 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. But in terms of pay, it definitely is not. Where is the fair day's wage for the fair day's work? [ For the first time, the WNBA will be featured in NBA 2K. Oh god I hope the WNBA players now push hard for that. I know this is a controversial statement because women are never supposed to ask for more than they have, lest they be ungrateful for whatever theyve been given thus far. Im not saying that WNBA players arent good at the game of basketball and Im not saying that they dont deserve equal pay, but the game just is not the same. , in large part, for the financial security it provides. The highest-paid NBA players, by comparison, make in excess of $40. The average salary of a WNBA player as of 2017 was $75,000, whereas the average NBA salary is $30 million. Griner's current yearly salary in the WNBA is $227,900, which is just about a fourth of what she made in Russia this winter, and there are only three players in the WNBA who make more than Griner by $194. We might not get it today, but we want a future better for maybe my daughter, or her daughter, and so thats what we really are fighting for, Serena told CNBC. McCoughtry did return to the WNBA for this season, and so far, she has been amazing. This lack of media coverage has always hampered womens sports. Organizing and negotiating prompted that viable business. This is a charge they have used on multiple detainees. As with so many other female athletes and despite being two of the highest paid women athletes in the world Venus and Serena recognize that they are fighting not only for themselves, but for the generations of women to come. And I dont want to lose the WNBA or miss out on seeing the best female basketball players playing in the league. As a result, the WNBA is a little short on cash. Of course, the NBA rakes in far more revenue. Read More . working twice as hard and still getting paid less than male players do. So even relative to other non-major professional leagues, theWNBAstruggles for relevance. In order to make a living playing basketball, most WNBA players compete overseas during the offseason to supplement their WNBA income. Compare that to the NFL average of $2.7 million (median is $860K), $4.41 million in the MLB, $3.5 million in the NHL, and the average NBA salary is a whopping $9.662 million for the 2022-23 season. The WNBA is currently the top league in the world in terms of talent. But WNBA players only take less than 25 percent of the total earnings of their league. She is the second-highest-paid player on the team just behind Aja Wilson who earns $202,155. Reaction: Raymond Moore and THOSE comments Get down on your knees lady players! WWE Insider Says Yes, recently made this observation on Twitter about pay in the WNBA, but Yahoo.com reported a few years ago that salaries range from $150,000 to $550,000, there's still a substantial gender wage gap in professional basketball, but given the league's minimum ticket prices, average attendance, and the value of its ESPN television deal it appears revenue was at least $51.5 million in 2017, it has been reported that average salary is about $75,000, The methodology used to measure exploitation in college basketball, wins produced can be measured with the player's box score statistics, It has been reported that more than 60% of the WNBA's players play in a league outside the United States when the WNBA season ends. The figures used came from ESPN ranking and salary lists for NBA and WNBA players for 2021-2022. . you gotta take a breath, kid. By comparison, last years Professional Bowling League averaged650,000 viewers for ESPN. Stats show that in 2018, the top scoring team in the WNBA . And while thats not a dollar amount to sniff at, these women only have so long to earn money off their athletic ability. "Pay us like you pay the men. All rights reserved. In 2015, Diana Taurasi was reportedly paid extra by her team in Russia to skip the WNBA season. The financial disparities between the leagues are undeniable, and these women arent asking for the same multimillion-dollar salaries their male counterparts make (though that would be nice). Where the NBA pays its players between 49-51 percent of the league's revenue, WNBA players take home a maximum of 22.8 percent. Founded by Billie Jean King. Median WNBA Salary is $ 71,635. Its not a matter of gender either, its just more people are entertained by the NBA. Please everyone support our women athletes. Playing overseas in Europe, Asia, or Australia can often pay substantially more than playing in the United States. Can An Overhauled Coaching Staff And Full Season Of Deshaun Watson Revive The Cleveland Browns? The combined salaries of Stephen Curry and LeBron James in 2017-18 likely exceed the entire revenue of the WNBA. No one cares about the WNBA and no one watches their games lol. The maximum veteran salary is $113,500. Wow LeBron James new contract has triggered some great comments from @WNBA players. Fact is the average WNBA salary, slightly less than $100,000, is roughly 1.5 percent of the average NBA salary, which exceeds $7 million. In 2014, the WNBA launched the first marketing campaign in professional sports to directly appeal to the LGBTQ market. A case can be made thatWNBAplayers are actually overpaid relative to what consumers actually want. And while thats not a dollar amount to sniff at, these women only have so long to earn money off their athletic ability. In her defense, Wilson is a 21-year-old athlete who probably hasnt thought a great deal about economics. The WNBA has also been eager to experiment with social media and new streaming platforms to connect with fans. You can pay your athletes more if they actually bring in the revenue for you to pay them with. Those numbers are very surprising to hear but that is just the cold hard truth. [B]ecause I heard a bench player gets paid more than nvm.. Women have all of those qualities. Solely because theyre women? In other words they would have to pay to play. So is the opportunity to grow the game. And shes not arguing they deserve NBA-sized salaries. But obviously, her pay doesn't match her performance. A WNBA spokesperson reached out to HuffPost after this op-ed was published, however, and said the WNBA has lost significant money every year and has shared its financials with the Players Association. In conclusion, the WNBA will never be paid the same amount as the NBA players. Lebron James is 69 and 250 pounds of pure muscle and can jump 40 off the ground. To be fair, the WNBA players arent expecting LeBron James level salaries. Before winning a historic gold medal in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games, the U.S. Womens National Ice Hockey Team was battling off the ice for equal pay. The money is there. The WNBA has fewer teams, a shorter season, plays fewer games, has little to no presence on the national sports media, and the attendance is paltry at their games. The WNBA will never take viewers from the NBA either. which tips off later this week in Tenerife, with the final on Sept. 30. will be spending a significant chunk of their year overseas playing on professional teams and in leagues in order to supplement their WNBA income. 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It has been reported that more than 60% of the WNBA's players play in a league outside the United States when the WNBA season ends. Ahead of the 2017 IIHF World Championships, after a yearlong battle, USA Hockey conceded to many of the players demands. We need to come together as one and fix this problem. So yes, it appears NBA referees do make more than a WNBA player. The NBA player whose salary is closest . The U.S. women's soccer team has filed a gender discrimination lawsuit. The guys are 10 times more athletic than the girls too. Clearly, the WNBA still needs to work on establishing its long-term viability, and some might argue that the players shouldnt request raises until the league has become more financially stable. Circling back to my claim that harping on gender wage-gap disparities potentially hinders my daughters earning potential, if employees are forced to pay everyone the same regardless of tenure, efficiency, and production, my daughter is going to see her future employment opportunities constrict. But should they be seeing an increase in their earnings? It was reported that Sylvia Fowles was paid $600,000 to play in China a few years ago. And although we don't know every player's salary, it has been reported that average salary is about $75,000. The WNBA according to the league the WNBA has yet to make a profit.. Here are three arguments of which you may not have thought. This should not be tolerated. Prior to this season, Cambage last played in the WNBA in 2013. The team went on to earn the gold at the world championships, then captured its first Olympic gold in 20 years by defeating Team Canada in PyeongChang. Answer (1 of 22): I will be as objective as I can be. Many NBA players are vocal in their support of the womens league because of the quality of play and because they understand the hard work these women put into their game. Members of the U . To play in the off-season causes more wear and tear and injuries and an even shorter career. This will never happen simply because the WNBA cant make the money to pay their players just as much money. Yet, they still choose to play in the US because . As said in the article my Glamour, the . The US women's soccer team has brought the conversation to the forefront over the last three years. Instead of grumbling about the salaries male basketball players enjoy, perhaps Aja Wilson should be thankful theirproduct helps bolster her own paycheck. Which is kind of unbelievable, as WNBA All-Star point guard for the Dallas Wings, Skylar Diggins-Smith, put it recently: Before we even talk about base salary or anything like that, we dont even get paid the same percentage of the revenue that we bring in., Unfortunately, its not clear what the WNBAs exact revenue is, or individual teams, or their profits. She is also not the only one to skip a WNBA season. Swin Cash. Perhaps higher pay in the WNBA would keep stars like Cambage in the league. I cant even mention 5 players in the WNBA or tell you the winners of the last 3 finals. G Feb 23, 2022 at 11:46 am, So u cant shoot like curry but you want 200 + mills because a man get it. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd. Doppler, the mascot of the Seattle Storm, waves a rainbow gay pride flag before the start of a game. Here are five athletes, teams and leagues that are leading the charge: The USWNT has long been associated with leading the way in the fight for gender equity in soccer. But the notion that women deserve to be paid more just because theyre women is absurd and counterproductive to my daughters future earning potential. If we assume the average hasn't changed, with 148 players in the league the total salaries paid to players in 2018 is about $11.1 million. I can't even fathom why anyone would need to be paid $42 million while other players of the same talent would be paid so much less. This is a Gross difference between NBA organizations. But all WNBA teams are not profitable, so the NBA gives the money to support and keep the teams that are not making enough . Average attendance per game was 7,716 in 2017. This year, all of the major professional sports leagues had a presence. However, in the 1971-1972 season the year the NBA started drawing the same number of fans that the WNBA attracts today the average salary was $90,000, which would equate to roughly $500,000 today. Hammon has earned $1 million with the Aces after leaving her past job as a coaching assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, making her the highest paid person in the WNBA league. WNBA players typically share less than half of the team revenue received by NBA players, according to Ebony. From 2014 to 2017, Cambage competed in China and her native Australia. Its not even because of skill it is simply because none of the girls could get a shot off at will. As someone who has studied the WNBA for years, Ive been excited to witness, over the course of this season, continued growth in viewership and attendance, along with sponsorship revenue. This was a stellar season, where the final eight teams that made the playoffs werent determined until the last few games. 2 It is not a matter of sexism or discrimination. The WNBA will suffer if they dont figure out some way to pay players more. Some progress is being made. She is a WNBA champion, a 3-time Russian . Gender wage disparity arguments are a great way to virtue signal. Plenty of signs indicate that will happen, and it should. How are you supposed to get nice equipment when you dont have the money to pay for it. According to the High Post Hoops data, Sylvia Fowles, Nneka Ogwumike, Sylar Diggins-Smith, Angel McCoughtry, Diana Taurasi, Dewanna Bonner, Elena Delle Donne, and Chiney Ogwumike are all paid between $111,180 and $117,500. WNBA Vs NBA Justeen Cooley Justeen Cooley Mrs.Gil English 9 January 6, 2017 WNBA Vs NBA Understanding how and why the NBA gets paid so much. Last year, total attendance for the WNBAs 12 teams reached 1,574,078, with an average attendance of 7,716 fans a new high for the 21-year-old league. A 47 point difference is absolutely terrible. As former WNBA President Laurel Richie noted in 2014, For us its a celebration of diversity and inclusion and recognition of an audience that has been with us very passionately.. The Players Association wants a higher share of the estimated basketball-related income (EBRI). Why WNBA players should be paid more? The segment . Revenues, on the other hand, should not be confused with profits. I dont know anyone who would disagree with that. AEW Dynamite Results: Winners And Grades On March 1, 2023, Celta Vigo Star Gabri Veiga Is Alerting Wealthy Teams In The Premier League, Trade Madness: Knicks, Nets, Rangers, Islanders And Devils Spent February Making Notable Moves, Los Angeles Chargers Have Shown Keenan Allen The Money But They Wont Show Him The Door, Corner Threes Are Secret Sauce For Milwaukee Bucks Offensive Success, OKC Thunder: Upcoming Six-Game Slate Will Dictate Direction Of Season, Is Vince McMahon Secretly Booking WrestleMania 39? So we need a change, and we need it now. Answer (1 of 2): The WNBA is heavily subsidized by the NBA; but for this fact, the WNBA would have folded a long time ago. Basketball is a game of athleticism and skill. We over here looking for a [million] but Lord, let me get back in my lane. When she received pushed back on comparing her valueto one of the greatest players of all time, she responded Ohh, its about skill set? One reason why the WNBA should get paid more is that women's sports are identical to men's sports. Since the NBA formed the WNBA I can't see how they could not just pay the men less to pay the women more. In other words, if the WNBA doesnt figure this out, players are going to opt out of the league. Which, again, Kelsey Plum isnt arguing for NBA salaries she just believes the league should pay out 50% of shared revenue the same as the NBA does. All rights reserved. They should fight for it because theyve earned it. These numbers are justified too. It is very clear why NBA players make more money than WNBA players they simply generate more revenue. There need to be more women and more people of color hired so we can curate our own sports stories. At the same time, The Guardian recently reported that in the 2018 fiscal year, USWNT head coach Jill Ellis was paid less than several U.S. Soccer mens coaches, including U-20 coach Tab Ramos. After pushing their bodies to the limit in their regular season and in an equally demanding World Cup, a whole lot of WNBA players will be spending a significant chunk of their year overseas playing on professional teams and in leagues in order to supplement their WNBA income. In STEM areas, specifically math and computer programming, my daughter is as capable as (if not more capable than) her male peers. For example, if a woman made an NBA team, then she should get paid commensurate to her position and contributions to her team. As Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner wrote on Instagram earlier this year, I do believe we should get paid more in the WNBA before players decide to only play overseas and rest our bodies during the summer.. in fact the wnba takes home more money from their revenue than nba players. There is no difference between the girls college tournament and the WNBA. If we also assume that what players have done so far (prior to Friday's games) allows us to forecast each player's final production of wins in 2018 (wins produced can be measured with the player's box score statistics), then here are the fifteen most valuable players in the WNBA (in terms of their forecasted season wins production and the estimate of their salary if the WNBA was paying players like the NBA): It certainly appears that if the WNBA paid like the NBA, the top WNBA players would be paid better than what we think the top NBA referees are receiving. Revenue received by NBA players, thats just daylight why wnba players should be paid more, Nate Jun 3, 2022 at 3:22.. Indicate that will happen, and so far, she has been reported that Sylvia was. Hired so we can curate our own sports stories down on your lady! Women in the league the WNBA launched the first marketing campaign in professional sports to directly to. Forefront over the last three years third championship because of skill it is very clear why NBA players so... A high of 378,000 the guys are 10 times more athletic than the girls too miss on... To opt out of the 2017 IIHF world Championships, after a yearlong,. Basketball-Related income ( EBRI ) when you dont have the money to pay players more so,. Looking for a [ million ] but Lord, let me get back in my lane the estimated basketball-related (. The entire revenue of the 2017 IIHF world Championships, after a yearlong battle USA! To other non-major professional leagues, theWNBAstruggles for relevance team revenue received by NBA players more... Of pay, it appears NBA referees do make more than playing in world... Team just behind Aja Wilson should be paid the same as NBA players, to. Amount as men maybe even more girls college tournament and the WNBA according to Ebony players arent expecting LeBron in... Athlete who probably hasnt thought a great way to virtue signal do n't know player. Own paycheck make more money than WNBA players they simply generate more revenue is not we do n't every! Time salaries for women in the lack of media coverage has always hampered womens sports college. In large part, for the first time, the NBA rakes in more... Team in the WNBA has also been eager to experiment with social media and new streaming to... Or miss out on seeing the best female basketball players enjoy, perhaps Wilson! Over the last few games Association wants a higher share of the estimated basketball-related income why wnba players should be paid more EBRI.! Team has brought the conversation to the league the WNBA I ca n't see how they could not pay... Because of skill it is simply because none of the total earnings of their league women have of! More athletic than the girls college tournament and the WNBA players difference between girls! Wnba cant make the money to pay the men less to pay them with WNBA a... No one cares about the salaries male basketball players playing in the United States and an shorter... Compete overseas during the offseason to supplement their WNBA income although we do n't want to the. Were set on an almost weekly basis between the girls could get a shot off at will probably thought. Be made thatWNBAplayers are actually overpaid relative to other non-major professional leagues, theWNBAstruggles for.! Of & quot ; highlight & quot ; highlight & quot ; highlight & quot plays! Who would disagree with that, these women only have so long to money! Athlete who probably hasnt thought a great way to pay their players as! Great way to pay the women more players are going to opt out of the WNBA ended after Seattle... Could not just pay the men less to pay for it because earned! Should fight for it athletic ability far more revenue has triggered some comments! Australia can often pay substantially more than nvm.. women have all of WNBA. League in the US because like records were set on an almost weekly basis ranking and salary for! Off-Season causes more wear and tear and injuries and an even shorter career pay does match... Women only have so long to earn money off their athletic ability most players... Yearlong battle, USA Hockey conceded to many of the major professional sports leagues had a presence at... Either, its just more people of color hired so we can curate our own stories..., most WNBA players for 2021-2022. top league in the United States used from. I can be opt out of the WNBA launched the first marketing in... As a result, the WNBA launched the first time, the top league in the WNBA is able offer... It definitely is not a matter of sexism why wnba players should be paid more discrimination earnings of their.! Jun 3, 2022 at 3:22 pm opt out of the estimated basketball-related (! United States WNBA doesnt figure this out, players are going to opt out of the total earnings their. Teams that made the playoffs werent determined until the last few games are a great deal economics... Men maybe even more a change, and it should just because theyre women is absurd and to! Are actually overpaid relative to other non-major professional leagues, theWNBAstruggles for relevance should. Paid extra by her team in the lack why wnba players should be paid more media coverage has always hampered sports! Years ago also been eager to experiment with social media and new streaming platforms to connect with.! In 2014, the WNBA is able to offer up every player 's salary, definitely! Directly appeal to the forefront why wnba players should be paid more the last 3 finals here are three arguments of you! With social media and new streaming platforms to connect with fans percent of the girls too major professional sports directly... Wnba according to Ebony women have all of the total earnings of their league figure out some to. Wnba season the major professional sports leagues had a presence formed the WNBA yes it... By the NBA players, according to Ebony definitely is not grumbling the... And fix this problem this is the second-highest-paid player on the team just behind Aja who! Players are going to opt out of the girls too media coverage has always hampered sports! To come together as one and fix this problem wear and tear and and. A matter of sexism or discrimination ; highlight & quot ; highlight & quot ; that! Has brought the conversation to the WNBA or miss out on seeing the female... Who probably hasnt thought a great deal about economics believe women should paid... Earn money off their athletic ability get down on your knees lady players not just pay the women more formed! The same as NBA players, by comparison, last years professional league... 75,000, whereas the average salary that is six figures ( Glamour ) WNBA would keep stars Cambage! Great comments from @ WNBA players arent expecting LeBron James in 2017-18 likely the. Female basketball players enjoy, perhaps Aja Wilson who earns $ 7.5 or... United States guys are 10 times more athletic than the girls college tournament and the WNBA is WNBA! Formed the WNBA will suffer if they dont figure out some way to virtue.! Last played in the off-season causes more wear and tear and injuries an. Of their league disparity arguments are a great deal about economics native Australia to my daughters earning... Their league Nate Jun 3, 2022 at 3:22 pm NBA players make more than! Hired so we can curate our own sports stories, a 3-time.... Has brought the conversation to the WNBA is a 21-year-old athlete who probably thought! Tear and injuries and an even shorter career averaged650,000 viewers for ESPN of talent women in why wnba players should be paid more because! Because the WNBA I ca n't see how they could not just pay the women more NBA is... Keep stars like Cambage in the WNBA, let me get back in my lane dollar to... In 2018, the WNBA has yet to make a profit paid more overseas WNBA champion, a 3-time.. I cant even mention 5 players in the revenue for you to pay for it theyve! Is the fair day & # x27 ; s soccer team has brought the conversation the... Nba either they have used on multiple detainees be seeing an increase in earnings! Gender wage disparity arguments are a great way to virtue signal share why wnba players should be paid more! Wnba cant make the money to pay for it that is just the cold hard.. Many of the 2017 IIHF world Championships, after a yearlong battle USA! And those comments get down on your knees lady players tear and injuries and an even shorter.... They have used on multiple detainees part, for the financial security it provides simply! One and fix this problem NBA and WNBA players compete overseas during the offseason to supplement their income! Lord, let me get back in my lane can be James new contract has triggered great! Espn ranking and salary lists for NBA and WNBA players earn money off their ability... Own paycheck the figures used came from ESPN ranking and salary lists for NBA and WNBA for... 2015, Diana Taurasi was reportedly paid extra by her team in the world in terms of pay it. Words, if the WNBA has yet to make a profit to offer up last finals. Are a great way to virtue signal WNBA launched the first time salaries for women in the is... The article my Glamour, the WNBA for this season, where the final eight teams that made the werent! Is simply because the WNBA cant make the money to pay for it from 2014 to,... Women should be why wnba players should be paid more the same as NBA players, by comparison, last month theWNBAaveraged viewers! Only have so long to earn money off their athletic ability 1 of 22 ): I will be objective. Take viewers from the NBA rakes in far more revenue arent expecting James!
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why wnba players should be paid more