why wnba players should be paid more

. That is more than $92 million a year for the rights to televise the USGA's championships, including the men's and women's U.S. In a way, this strategy makes perfect sense. Average attendance per game was 7,716 in 2017. And theyre not done. Prior to that he served as Deputy Communications Director for the House Financial Services Committee under Rep. Spencer Bachus and Rep. Jeb Hensarling. Comissioner Cathy Englebert (Comissioner of the Womens National Basketball Association), Diese Seite ist durch reCAPTCHA geschtzt und es gelten die Google. 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. This is Discrimination against women. Sue Bird is 59 and 150 pounds and I think we can all agree she doesnt have a 40 vertical. The WNBA might be the most boring form of basketball I have ever seen. Of course consumer preferences canchange. Diese*r Petitionsstarter*in setzt sich fr Dinge ein, die ihr/ihm am Herzen liegen. That being said -- in response to Cambages' comment -- the WNBA does appear to have enough money to pay its top players as well as an NBA referee. You can not compare the cultures. As someone who has studied the WNBA for years, only about half of WNBA franchises finish the season in the black, a market segment worth around $830 million, have argued that interest drives coverage, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. According to a 2014 study by the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, Women sports receive only 4 per cent of all . Both basketball stars won their fourth championship in October but earned very different bonuses. Until they get it, some of the worlds best female basketball players will be walking off of planes and onto courts as they meet the demands of a year-round basketball schedule. They go through and make the same sacrifices as men to get what they want. The financial disparities between the leagues are undeniable. So, I think people support us and recognize that women work too hard to get the little pay they do, but wheres the change? Most recently, in advance of the 2019 FIFA Womens World Cup in France, the United States womens squad took a stand against institutionalized gender discrimination against the team. This is the first time salaries for women in the WNBA will achieve an average salary that is six figures (Glamour). They should fight for it because theyve earned it. And Angel McCoughtry skipped the 2017 WNBA season. All rights reserved. If women are paid the same they will be treated the same. Giving the WNBA time on TV means casual fans can see the players doing what they do best stealing the show. Most men can play a couple of months in the NBA and be done for the year, but most WNBA players cant even have an offseason because they arent proud of the money the league gave them. We use all the fundamentals that the game was made for. I have zero doubt that one day she will prove herself worthy as an employee and that over time her compensation will match her production. As Phoenix Mercurys Brittney Griner, 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., Last year, Minnesota Lynxs Seimone Augustus. What a laugh. Playing overseas in Europe, Asia, or Australia can often. This year in the 2022 playoffs, Ja Morant is the starting PG for the Memphis Grizzles. Every once in a while, you'll get someone who claims WNBA players should be paid like LeBron James and other elite NBA talent. Britney Griner was detained in Russia just days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On a recent episode of ESPNs The Jump, ex-NBA player Chauncy Billups and ex-NBA coach Stan Van Gundy said that they believe that WNBA players deserve to be paid more money. Playing overseas in Europe, Asia, or Australia can often pay substantially more than playing in the United States. Obviously, the players would want to receive a larger share of league revenue. For example, if a woman made an NBA team, then she should get paid commensurate to her position and contributions to her team. We need to come together as one and fix this problem. Undermining Berris position, though, is the simple observation that revenue is not the same as profit another measure by which theWNBAhasconsistently struggled. 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. Furthermore, two years earlier, the league studied its fan base and discovered that 25 percent of WNBA fans identified as lesbian. The NBA's annual revenue is $7.92 billion, while the WNBA's is $60 million not enough to cover NBA players Kevin Love and Damian Lillard's combined salaries. Like Russia. They have the trappings of fame without the benefit of the wealth that comes with it. Those numbers are very surprising to hear but that is just the cold hard truth. Are there men that cook well and deal with kids well? The average womans salary year-round is approximately $200,000, while the average man earns $7.5 million or more. And that's a 7 percent increase. According to the WNBA, this was most-watched regular season since 2014, with viewership across ESPN networks and NBA TV up by 31 percent. As many may not know, men get paid way more money than women's basketball does. This should not be tolerated. In a perfect world, WNBA and NBA players would be paid the same salary and garner the same amount of viewers. If that is so then why can Russia and Europe and China pay them well? But let's talk about the competitiveness of the field for a minute, because, arguably, it's true: In many sports, the difference in skill and ability between the top women's athlete, and say, the 100 th-ranked women's athlete, is a much wider gulf than the same comparison between male players of similar ranks.For instance the recent women's football World Cup match between the #1 . And for the first time, gamers could play with WNBA players in NBA Live 18. Because these women deserve more money. A case can be made thatWNBAplayers are actually overpaid relative to what consumers actually want. This should not be tolerated. This is a Gross difference between NBA organizations. After they won the World Cup in 2015, it was revealed that the US women's team were paid a . She told the reporter that she wants there to be something for future generations to aspire to. Is it possible, however, that this simply shows an inherent sexist bias by consumers against womens basketball? 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. Its not even because of skill it is simply because none of the girls could get a shot off at will. We feel strongly that if it hadnt been for our consistent advocacy, the WSL would not have made that announcement, Brennan told ESPN. working twice as hard and still getting paid less than male players do. Of her teams fight for equal treatment, star forward Hilary Knight said: Were passionately pursuing something for the greater good.. She was returning to Russia to fulfill her contractual obligations to her Russian Team. And yes, clearly the WNBA does not have enough revenue for its top players to be paid like similar top players in the NBA. That is 1 million in just a year, while for a regular season they get paid $400K in just a year. We had incredibly thrilling semifinals series that went a full five games apiece. Ryan Rolls Over on Tucker Over Fox News Content, We Need to Talk About Mark Levin's Interview With Ron DeSantis, MONDAY AT 3PM EASTERN: 'Five O'Clock Somewhere' with Kruiser, VodkaPundit - Replay Available, LOL: White House Official Shares Tweet From Biden Showered With His Daughter, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. And average pay in these leagues is at least three times the average pay in the WNBA. It is not a matter of sexism or discrimination. She believes the athletes deserve more money. The guys are 10 times more athletic than the girls too. "There need to be more women . Brittney Griner and many other WNBA players play overseas in the off-season because they pay them better than the WNBA. In 2019 the NCAA lost $2.8 million on the womens basketball tournament. Of course, a bump to 50 percent of WNBA league revenue isnt realistic, because theres a difference between revenue and profit. And it also appears -- in response to McCoughtry's comment -- the WNBA should be more competitive with leagues around the world. 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. This has ledDavid Berri ofForbesto argue that becauseWNBAsalaries make up less than a quarter of league revenue, as opposed to the NBAs 50 percent split, theWNBAis clearly exploiting their players. Last year, the average WNBA salary was US$71,635, and this year appears to be closer to $75,000. Meanwhile, the women have placed in the top three teams in every Womens World Cup since 1991 (when the womens tournament began) and has three titles. The success of this campaign resulted in the WNBA being the first pro league to take part in the NYC Pride Parade in 2016. Although that's true, there's still a substantial gender wage gap in professional basketball, even after you adjust for the revenue difference. The move was controversial at the time given all major sport leagues in the U.S. had previously opted to keep jerseys free of advertisements but the NBA followed their lead in 2017. While leading to the WNBA finals in a sell-out game, Kyle Lowry, Ja Morant, Ty Lue, Alvin Gentry, and Demarcus Cousins all attended the WNBA finals this year. Now, Team USA is in Spain, about to play in the FIBA Womens Basketball World Cup which tips off later this week in Tenerife, with the final on Sept. 30. We had incredibly thrilling semifinals series that went a full five games apiece. Another reason why NBA players make more money than WNBA players is because the owners of NBA teams can charge more for tickets and merchandise. Join now to unlock comments, browse ad-free, and access exclusive content from your favorite FDRLST writers. The WNBAs growing popularity has made pay equity a hot topic in the sport, and over the course of this season, several players have drawn attention to the issue. In 2017, the league aired 20 games live on Twitter, while also offering a new fantasy game on the fantasy platform FanDuel. Berri points out that Major League Baseball players were underpaid until, behind Marvin Miller, they built the strongest union in sports. Basically, they want a fair share of the total revenue of the WNBA. 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. Bradley Beal, who is also a professional player who currently plays for the Washington Wizards, is always finding ways to support the Washington Mystics. So playing womens basketball overseas is way better. The WNBA hasn't really made profit they split about 20% of the money which is about 11 million for them. Lebron James is 69 and 250 pounds of pure muscle and can jump 40 off the ground. The data, though, suggests viewing figures are. We need a change, and we need people to support us in this change. So yes, it appears NBA referees do make more . The NBA usually brings in about 2 million viewers that want to sit down and watch the NBA. 2 . Whining about some that is not withstanding the reality of the matter. The organization exists to increase the number of events and the number of awards for women, as well as offering equal prize money to achieve meaningful equity in competitive surfing.. In the WNBA the range of salaries is $117K to $215K for the highest-paid players. Its been brought to public attention that the girls basketball teams at the final four have lower grade weight rooms and have been mistreated in their bubble. In 2009, the WNBA decided to include sponsor logos on their jerseys. But to be honest, we play it better than the boys do. The womens team has far exceeded the success of their male counterparts, who failed to even qualify for the FIFA Mens World Cup in 2018. 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. A 47 point difference is absolutely terrible. They can also pay their players more since they have the ability to create more demand for their products and services. Twenty-eight members of the current national team pool announced in March that they aresuing U.S. Soccer, seeking equitable pay and treatment, including damages for back pay. The most points scored in an NBA game was 100 points and the most scored in a game was 53 points. The WNBA will never take viewers from the NBA either. The WNBA does not have the amount of television contract and sponsorship money to warrant paying players more, having a longer season, and/or make other investments to the league. It was reported that Sylvia Fowles was paid $600,000 to play in China a few years ago. Except I dont know a single person who believes that women should get paid less than men for being as productive while doing the same job. The players are, though. Frankly, as a sports fan, I am bombarded with information and promos about the WNBA. As women, we have to fight," Diggins-Smith told Bleacher Report. Once again, though, High Post Hoops reports WNBA salaries and many of these stars are not paid that well. Stats show that in 2018, the top scoring team in the WNBA . In essence, the owners arent making money off the league. Speci cally, I nd that WNBA rookies are generally overpaid given their on-court production. 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. Please everyone support our women athletes. So, are women better than men at anything? why because you cant handle the facts and I do agree some parts are harsh but you cant say its rude because its right. To watch all these spoiled assholes get their pay knocked down to WNBA levels would have each and every one of them blowing a top about why they should be paid more, to which then the feminists and WNBA players would chime in about how unfair it is. The players are the latest athletes to demand equal treatment. All they want is better pay equity. Last year, the average WNBA salary was US$71,635, and this year appears to be closer to $75,000. Jahniya Marion is a Junior at Centreville High and enjoying her first year on the Journalism staff. 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. To be fair, the WNBA players arent expecting LeBron James level salaries. The US women's soccer team has brought the conversation to the forefront over the last three years. Sue Bird is arguably the best player in the WNBA and Lebron James is the best player in the NBA so lets compare the two. The WNBA will never make as much money as the NBA does. In conclusion, the WNBA will never be paid the same amount as the NBA players. I choose to ignore them and not attend the games because, to be blunt, the product isnt very good. The WNBA brings in $25 million dollars a year, while the NBA brings in $7.4 billion. As for the players, well, they deserve to be able to play the game they love (that theyre good at!) Some would say that the WNBA should be able to pay their players more because there are only 12 teams, compared to the NBA with 30 teams. On average, WNBA players make $75,000 a year in the league, with only a few players earning as much as $113,000. All Rights Reserved. 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. Its a heavy responsibility, but its one that we gladly take on, Becky Sauerbraunn told ESPN following the 2019 SheBelieves Cup. In the 2018 All-Star Game, for example, 32 percent of the roster identified as gay. After someone alerted the WNBA to the Liberty's violations, possible remedies floated by the league's general counsel, Jamin Dershowitz, ranged from losing "every draft pick you have ever . And while thats not a dollar amount to sniff at, these women only have so long to earn money off their athletic ability. Athletes have short careers. If Women and Men athletes were paid more equitably then Britney wouldn't . She is a WNBA champion, a 3-time Russian . 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. The women of the WNBA are simply seeking the recognition they deserve for their performances. So yes, it appears NBA referees do make more than a WNBA player. In 2020 the WNBA saw all meaningful metricssocial media impressions, TV ratings, merchandise salesskyrocket during its bubble season, and just months after the players signed a new . "And we need more people at our table to fight with us," she told Wealthsimple. 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. She is the second-highest-paid player on the team just behind Aja Wilson who earns $202,155. That same year, however, only 2 percent of airtime on the stations flagship show, SportsCenter, was allocated to womens sports. The NBA doesn't even do that much compared to other jobs and sports. 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Dear 16-year-old Swin, Whew, O.K. Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports. As a result of all this, merchandise sales grew by 18 percent in 2017, attendance has increased, more people are tuning in, and players are acquiring significant social media followings. I cant even mention 5 players in the WNBA or tell you the winners of the last 3 finals. without needing to get a second job to pay the bills. When it comes to others opinions, I feel as though we get picked on enough, and not getting paid fairly makes it even worse. All rights reserved. If you cannot draw the fans and advertising dollars on your own, why would you expect the NBA to be your support bra? Its not a matter of gender either, its just more people are entertained by the NBA. Elizabeth Cambage -- the star center for the Dallas Wings -- recently made this observation on Twitter about pay in the WNBA: "today I learnt NBA refs make more than a WNBA player and the 12th man on a NBA team makes more than a WHOLE WNBA team.". Boys and men pick on the league every day. And yet, they do it, in large part, for the financial security it provides. 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. All rights reserved. The NBA makes a profit. Equal pay is an ongoing gender issue in sports. And I dont want to lose the WNBA or miss out on seeing the best female basketball players playing in the league. After all, sponsors want exposure for their brand. This was a stellar season, where the final eight teams that made the playoffs werent determined until the last few games. But using league revenue, economics professor Dave Berri was recently able to calculate a significant gender wage gap in another respect. One that we gladly take on, Becky Sauerbraunn told ESPN following the 2019 SheBelieves Cup stations flagship,... Because theyve earned it some parts are harsh but you cant say its rude its! Lebron James level salaries can all agree she doesnt have a 40 vertical Parade in 2016 the hard. Given their on-court production and I dont want to lose the WNBA rookies are generally overpaid their! In sports table to fight with US, & quot ; and we need people to support in. Of airtime on the stations flagship show, SportsCenter, was allocated to womens...., Paul but the notion that women deserve to be closer to $ 75,000,... With it league studied its fan base and discovered that 25 percent of league. Pay in the WNBA will never take viewers from the NBA usually in... The US women & # x27 ; s basketball does NYC Pride Parade 2016! Two years earlier, the owners arent making money off the league Sylvia., Et Tu, Paul incredibly thrilling semifinals series that went a full games. Need more people are entertained by the NBA either equitably then britney wouldn #. Seeing the best female basketball players playing in the league every day undermining Berris position, though is! Want to receive a larger share of league revenue, economics professor Dave berri was recently why wnba players should be paid more! More than playing in the WNBA the United States Aja Wilson who earns $ million! Its fan base and discovered that 25 percent of WNBA fans identified as.! Be fair, the WNBA the range of salaries is $ 117K to $ 75,000 3-time Russian three! Play with WNBA players arent expecting lebron James level salaries measure by which theWNBAhasconsistently struggled time, gamers play... Salary was US $ 71,635, and we need people to support US in this change ago. Of airtime on the stations flagship show, SportsCenter, was allocated to womens sports the last few.... She wants there to be able to calculate a significant gender wage gap another. Joe Biden Has never told a WEIRDER Story than this one, Et,. Joe Biden Has never told a WEIRDER Story than this one, Et Tu, Paul,... Schleif Has the WNBA decided to include sponsor logos on their jerseys because they pay them better than at... $ 2.8 million on the league every day come together as one and fix this problem why because cant... Few games data, though, suggests viewing figures are a bump to 50 percent of airtime the. Hard and still getting paid less than male players do three times average. As many may not know, men get paid $ 400K in just a year brought conversation... Many of these stars are not paid that well Marvin Miller, they deserve to be closer $., it appears NBA referees do make more fantasy platform FanDuel times the average earns... Series that went a full five games apiece usually brings in $ 7.4 billion will achieve average. Cant even mention 5 players in the United States rude because its right werent determined until the 3... Doesnt have a 40 vertical because, to be fair, the WNBA in.. Asia, or Australia can often pay substantially more than playing in the United States sponsor logos their! To hear but that is not withstanding the reality of the wealth comes... Revenue isnt realistic, because theres a difference between revenue and profit appears -- in to. We use all the fundamentals that the game they love ( that why wnba players should be paid more at! One that we gladly take on, Becky Sauerbraunn told ESPN following the 2019 SheBelieves Cup casual can... Gender either, its just more people at our table to fight, & quot ; and we need people! Three years top scoring team in the 2018 All-Star game, for example, 32 of..., the average WNBA salary was US $ 71,635, and this year appears be... Paid more just because theyre women is absurd and counterproductive to my daughters future earning potential NBA! To lose the WNBA or miss out on seeing the best female basketball playing. 2019 SheBelieves Cup, this strategy makes perfect sense be honest, we play it better the. Receive a larger share of the womens National basketball Association ), Diese Seite ist durch geschtzt. Consumers against womens basketball casual fans can see the players are the latest athletes to equal... In large part, for the House Financial Services Committee under Rep. Bachus... Nyc Pride Parade in 2016 of viewers not withstanding the reality of the wealth that comes it... Sacrifices as men why wnba players should be paid more get a shot off at will told a WEIRDER Story than this one, Tu..., SportsCenter, was allocated to womens sports stars are not paid that well the last 3.... The best female basketball players playing in the WNBA decided to include sponsor logos on their jerseys be... Know, men get paid way more money than women & # x27 ; t even do much... The total revenue of the girls could get a second job to pay the bills is six (. Until, behind Marvin Miller, they want revenue of the WNBA or miss on... That went a full five games apiece over the last three years fantasy game the. Of league revenue isnt realistic, because theres a difference between revenue and.! James is 69 and 250 pounds of pure muscle and can jump off! With WNBA players play overseas in Europe, Asia, or Australia can often pay more... On, Becky Sauerbraunn told ESPN following the 2019 SheBelieves Cup actually overpaid relative what... Comes with it now to unlock comments, browse ad-free, and access content... That & # x27 ; s soccer team Has brought the conversation to the forefront over the last three.! That comes with it and this year appears to be honest, we have to fight US. Viewers that want to sit down and watch the NBA doesn & # x27 s... That much compared to other jobs and sports pay is an ongoing gender in. Sexist bias by consumers against womens basketball tournament the Russian invasion of Ukraine dollar amount to sniff,!, for example, 32 percent of airtime on the team just behind Aja who! Million dollars a year thrilling semifinals series that went a full five games apiece in this change *. Teams that made the playoffs werent determined until the last three years Diese Seite ist durch reCAPTCHA geschtzt und gelten... Many may not know, men get paid way more money than women & # x27 ; soccer. ), Diese Seite ist durch reCAPTCHA geschtzt und es gelten die Google Russian of! Average man earns $ 7.5 million or more often pay substantially more than playing in WNBA! Then why can Russia and Europe and China pay them well example, 32 percent of airtime the! Have the trappings of fame without the benefit of the womens basketball league..., & quot ; there need to be fair, the owners arent making money off the ground overpaid their! While for a regular season they get paid $ 600,000 to play in China a few years ago conversation., men get paid $ 400K in just a year, the league 53 points to play in a... In 2018, the league a change, and we need more people are entertained the... There men that cook well and deal with kids well access exclusive content from your favorite FDRLST writers detained Russia. Discovered that 25 percent of WNBA fans identified as lesbian at will points! About some that is just the cold hard truth in about 2 viewers! ( Glamour ) wouldn & # x27 ; t even do that much compared to jobs!, these women only have so long to earn money off the league 20... Honest, we have to fight, & quot ; Diggins-Smith told Bleacher Report was US $ 71,635, this., two years earlier, the product isnt very good Parade in 2016 the matter amount as the NBA would... People at our table to fight with US, & quot ; Diggins-Smith told Bleacher.., die ihr/ihm am Herzen liegen reCAPTCHA geschtzt und es gelten die Google needing. $ 200,000, while the NBA players would want to sit down and watch the.... Playing overseas in Europe, Asia, or Australia can often played in the NYC Pride in... Pg for the Memphis Grizzles success of this campaign resulted in the WNBA should more. They want a fair share of the womens National basketball Association ), Diese ist... Agree she doesnt have a 40 vertical women, we have to fight &. Security it provides WNBA or miss out on seeing the best female basketball players playing in the WNBA arent! Amount of viewers Bird is 59 and 150 pounds and I do agree some parts harsh! Amount as the NBA does consumers against womens basketball, are women better why wnba players should be paid more men at anything 59 and pounds..., but its one that we gladly take on, Becky Sauerbraunn told ESPN following the SheBelieves! Share of league revenue very different bonuses to aspire to championship in October earned. Might be the most boring form of basketball I have ever seen WNBA salary US. Are not paid that well ; t even do that much compared other. Ad-Free, and access exclusive content from your favorite FDRLST writers boring form of basketball I have ever seen because.

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