Latest news with #WNBAplayers
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Pay us what you owe us': America divided by WNBA T-shirt stunt
WNBA stars have sparked widespread divide by wearing T-shirts with 'pay us what you owe us' emblazed on the front. The blunt message was delivered during warm ups ahead of the WNBA All Star Game on Sunday amid ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the players and the league. With a late October deadline looming, the players' stance is clear … they want a bigger piece of the pie. It's not the first time WNBA players have demanded more pay, with the talking point rearing its head every year. The latest act however comes off the back of the league agreeing to an 11-year, $AUD3.38 billion TV rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime Video and NBCUniversal that will come into play from 2026. The WNBA is booming with TV ratings (up 23%), ticket sales (up 26%) and attendance (13%) all surging halfway through the season, according to NPR. But the simple act of wearing a T-shirts demanding to be paid more sparked widespread divide with many believing the players are deserving of greater pay, while countless others pointed to the league's struggling finances which have seen the WNBA never make a profit. What is the WNBA's revenue? That's the big talking point behind all of the ongoing CBA negotiations, the WNBA players are chasing a large share of the league's revenue. Under the current CBA, the players split 9.3 per cent of league revenue. A figure far lesser than the NBA which sees players split between 49 and 51 per cent. The league currently operates off a revenue of $200m, but as is often pointed out when these discussions come to the table … the WNBA has yet to turn a profit since its inception in 1996. The NBA owns nearly 60 per cent of the league with team owners investing millions every year to the WNBA. Despite the recent uptick, the 2024 WNBA season saw the league lose $40 million. The new TV rights deal will inject $200m annually into the league, compared to the current deal which injects roughly $45m per season. With that deal set to come into play from 2026 onwards, WNBA players could soon see their salaries rise and the league turn a profit for the first time. What is the difference in WNBA and NBA salaries? According to Sports Illustrated, WNBA salaries roughly range from a minimum of $USD66,000 to a super maximum contract of around $USD250,000. Despite being the face of the league, Caitlin Clark remains on a rookie contract which will see her earn $78,000 in 2025. Compare those figures to the NBA and the difference is eye-watering. The average NBA salary for the 2024-25 season was projected to be $11,910,649, according to SI. The minimum salary came in at $1,157,153 while the highest-paid player, Stephen Curry, earned a staggering $55.7 million. America divided by players calling for more pay You can almost guarantee that anytime a WNBA player speaks out about wanting to be paid more, social media will be flooded with vitriol It kicked into overdrive on Sunday as images of the players wearing the shirts began to spread across the internet. End Wokeness wrote on X: 'The WNBA loses $50 million every year and has NEVER generated a profit. You deserve $0.00.' Jake Crain added: 'There is no league as tone deaf as the WNBA. 'Pay us what you owe us' shirts when you have to be subsidised is wild.' Fox Sports Radio host Aaron Torres wrote: 'There is no group of more delusional people on planet Earth, than WNBA players.' Of course not everyone was on the side of the corporation with a plethora of fans backing the players in chasing what they're worth. WTH News wrote: 'They're not asking for NBA bags, just their damn slice of the pie. Talent's on the court, money's on the table — time to match the energy. You don't build a league on players and leave them crumbs.' NBA and WNBA beat reporter Andrew Dukowitz wrote: 'The league is built on players, they deserve to get a bigger slice of the pie for the work they all have put in, and as the revenue grows, they should as well. The WNBA players are not asking to be paid dollar for dollar what the NBA players make, from what I understand they just want a fair share of the revenue.' Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy took his outrage even further, savaging people who don't believe the WNBA players don't deserve a bigger slice. 'I don't know how anybody in the world with a brain, and maybe my brain is just bigger than most, can rationally say women don't deserve more money at this point,' Portnoy said in a video posted to social media. 'Franchise values are exploding. Ticket sales, merch, TV rights all exploding. The players have an opt out in their CBA. Of course they took it. It's all about leverage in re-negotiations and for the 1st time in history of the league players have power. 'The players make virtually nothing while the entire league explodes. Of course they deserve more money.' What will it mean if no agreement is reached? With the first round of talks going almost nowhere, the threat of a potential player lockout remains real. The players union has said it's preparing for a work stoppage when the current CBA expires Oct. 31. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said she has 'confidence' a deal can be struck before the Halloween deadline, but also said she's 'not going to put an exact date on it. 'We're in a good place and we're going back and forth,' she said. If no agreement is reached, the players will effectively not turn up to work until a deal is struck which could then have an impact on the upcoming expansion drafts in December. Free agency, which usually starts in late January, and potentially the April draft would also be on hold as long as a deal remains unfinalised.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
WNBA has failed to meet players' priorities in CBA talks, union says
INDIANAPOLIS, July 17 (Reuters) - The Women's National Basketball Players Association and the WNBA appeared no closer to finding common ground on a labor agreement on Thursday, as negotiations continued amid fears over a potential work stoppage. The two sides, including more than 40 players, met on Thursday ahead of the All-Star Game this weekend in Indianapolis amid reports of serious discord between players and the league in their labor negotiations. "The WNBA's response to our proposals fails to address the priorities we've voiced from the day we opted out," the WNBPA said in a statement. The union called for "a transformational CBA (collective bargaining agreement) that delivers our rightful share of the business that we've built, improves working conditions, and ensures the success we create lifts both today's players and the generations that follow." The WNBA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The current CBA was hailed as a landmark moment for women's sports in 2020, when the league and players reached their agreement, with increased pay, improved travel and a host of new maternity benefits. But rapid growth in the WNBA has transformed the league, with an 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal kicking in with the 2026 season, and players opted to ditch the deal before it was set to expire in 2027. A work stoppage could be catastrophic for the league, which is set to debut two new teams in Portland and Toronto next year, and it said last month three more teams would debut in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia in 2028, 2029 and 2030, respectively. "We've told the league and teams exactly why their proposal falls so short," the union said. "This business is booming - media rights, ratings, revenue, team valuations, expansion fees, attendance, and ticket sales - are all up in historic fashion." The WNBA has enjoyed tremendous momentum with surging TV viewership and attendance, as last year's playoffs generated the best ratings in 25 years, and a host of young stars, including the Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark, have brought in new fans. This weekend's All-Star Game festivities in Indianapolis were expected to draw unprecedented interest, and banners featuring the top-flight league's star players were plastered across the city's bustling downtown. "Short-changing the working women who make this business possible stalls growth," the WNBPA said, reiterating its commitment to return to negotiations. "The only thing more unsustainable than the current system is pretending it can go on forever."
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Do WNBA players think Caitlin Clark will be the league's face in five years?
There is not one defining feature that makes up the face of a sport. A player's success on the floor is important, but so is her social omnipresence, her brand prominence and her desire to be a voice on topics that not only involve her but her peers. The WNBA's face of the league does not have to be its best player, or even its most decorated. The WNBA currently has stars from various generations competing. A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier highlight a group that entered the league in the mid- to late-2010s, while Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers are among a recent crop of stars. So who do WNBA players think will be the face of the league in five years? And what do they think about a host of issues facing the league, including expansion, salaries and collective bargaining negotiations? On Monday, players weighed in on who is the league's best player and the best trash-talker. Advertisement To answer those questions, 's anonymous player poll is back. Every day this week, we'll share how players dished on topics. Our reporters spoke to nearly 40 players from the start of the 2025 season — a total that represents nearly a third of non-rookie players in the league. We interviewed players from all 13 teams but excluded the 30 rookies in an effort to gather veterans' perspectives. Players were granted anonymity to speak freely. They were also permitted to skip individual questions; as a result, each question shows the total number of responses for full transparency. Some players named more than one player, so we divided those vote totals. Players were not allowed to vote for their team or teammates. At a time of explosive growth in the league, as multiple players are prominent across mediums, and brands continue to strike high-profile deals with rising WNBA stars, it was difficult for players to focus their responses on one player. More than 10 players responded with two potential options, with the indecision reflecting the star power that many in the sport have. Advertisement Clark, the Fever star, was the overwhelming choice, however. The two-time All-Star has proven to be the league's most popular player since she entered the WNBA last spring. Indiana's games routinely set, or come close to setting, record viewership numbers, and it's become common for the Fever's road opponents to move games to larger venues to accommodate the added interest Clark and her teammates draw. That so many players chose Watkins is also notable as the USC guard might not enter the WNBA for another two seasons. But her future arrival, coupled with her ACL tear in last season's NCAA Tournament, has done little to dispel how highly players think about Watkins' pro potential. WNBA players already recognize her presence, and so many already viewing her as a future face of the league reflects their respect for her. Although there is a difference between who might be the WNBA's best player in five years and who will be the league's face in five years, it is notable that in 2023, when last conducted an anonymous player survey, Clark's Fever teammate Aliyah Boston received the second most votes. Two years later, A'ja Wilson was the lone player drafted before 2024 who received votes in this category. In their words On Caitlin Clark: 'She's clearly already a draw, and she still has room to improve (as a player).' Advertisement 'I mean she is currently the face of the league.' On JuJu Watkins: 'Just look at the presence she already has in college.' On Paige Bueckers: 'She's very likable right now, and she's doing very well as a rookie, and her name is making a buzz.' The Athletic Coming this week Wednesday Which city is ideal for expansion? What should be a CBA priority? Thursday What's the best-run franchise? What's the worst-run franchise? Friday What's the best rivalry? Who's going to win the WNBA championship? This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, WNBA 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Do WNBA players think Caitlin Clark will be the league's face in five years?
There is not one defining feature that makes up the face of a sport. A player's success on the floor is important, but so is her social omnipresence, her brand prominence and her desire to be a voice on topics that not only involve her but her peers. The WNBA's face of the league does not have to be its best player, or even its most decorated. The WNBA currently has stars from various generations competing. A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier highlight a group that entered the league in the mid- to late-2010s, while Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers are among a recent crop of stars. Advertisement So who do WNBA players think will be the face of the league in five years? And what do they think about a host of issues facing the league, including expansion, salaries and collective bargaining negotiations? On Monday, players weighed in on who is the league's best player and the best trash-talker. To answer those questions, The Athletic's anonymous player poll is back. Every day this week, we'll share how players dished on topics. Our reporters spoke to nearly 40 players from the start of the 2025 season — a total that represents nearly a third of non-rookie players in the league. We interviewed players from all 13 teams but excluded the 30 rookies in an effort to gather veterans' perspectives. Players were granted anonymity to speak freely. They were also permitted to skip individual questions; as a result, each question shows the total number of responses for full transparency. Some players named more than one player, so we divided those vote totals. Players were not allowed to vote for their team or teammates. At a time of explosive growth in the league, as multiple players are prominent across mediums, and brands continue to strike high-profile deals with rising WNBA stars, it was difficult for players to focus their responses on one player. More than 10 players responded with two potential options, with the indecision reflecting the star power that many in the sport have. Clark, the Fever star, was the overwhelming choice, however. The two-time All-Star has proven to be the league's most popular player since she entered the WNBA last spring. Indiana's games routinely set, or come close to setting, record viewership numbers, and it's become common for the Fever's road opponents to move games to larger venues to accommodate the added interest Clark and her teammates draw. That so many players chose Watkins is also notable as the USC guard might not enter the WNBA for another two seasons. But her future arrival, coupled with her ACL tear in last season's NCAA Tournament, has done little to dispel how highly players think about Watkins' pro potential. WNBA players already recognize her presence, and so many already viewing her as a future face of the league reflects their respect for her. Advertisement Although there is a difference between who might be the WNBA's best player in five years and who will be the league's face in five years, it is notable that in 2023, when The Athletic last conducted an anonymous player survey, Clark's Fever teammate Aliyah Boston received the second most votes. Two years later, A'ja Wilson was the lone player drafted before 2024 who received votes in this category. On Caitlin Clark: 'She's clearly already a draw, and she still has room to improve (as a player).' 'I mean she is currently the face of the league.' On JuJu Watkins: 'Just look at the presence she already has in college.' On Paige Bueckers: 'She's very likable right now, and she's doing very well as a rookie, and her name is making a buzz.' — The Athletic's Chantel Jennings contributed to this report. Wednesday Which city is ideal for expansion? What should be a CBA priority? Thursday What's the best-run franchise? What's the worst-run franchise? Friday What's the best rivalry? Who's going to win the WNBA championship? (Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Photos of Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins: Luiza Moraes / Getty Images, Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
