Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese
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Both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were recently selected in the first round of the 2024 WNBA draft, marking them as some of the most promising talents the league has ever seen.
Underpayment
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However, rather than celebrating their accomplishments and the potential they bring to the WNBA, the focus immediately shifted to the ongoing debate about the perceived underpayment of WNBA players.
Jason Whitlock
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Conservative sports commentator Jason Whitlock argues that WNBA players are, in fact, compensated more than they deserve. In a segment from his show ‘Fearless,’ shared on the social media platform X, Whitlock criticized the media and external influences for fostering a “sense of entitlement” among WNBA players by advocating for higher pay.
Overpaid
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According to Whitlock, WNBA players are currently receiving more than their fair share. “They’re overpaid at $75,000 a year … they’re overpaid already,” Whitlock argued. In the 2024 WNBA draft, Caitlin Clark, selected as the top pick for the Indiana Fever, is set to earn $76,535 in her first season, according to the New York Post. This amount stands in stark contrast to the $12.1 million received by Victor Wembanyama, the first pick in the 2023 NBA draft during his rookie year.
Financial losses
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Whitlock underscored the WNBA’s continual financial losses over its thirty-year existence as proof that the players are being compensated beyond what is justified. He highlighted external pressures urging up-and-coming WNBA talents like Clark and Reese, the seventh overall pick for the Chicago Sky, to align with what he described as the “angry feminist brigade” and “alphabet mafia” to advocate for higher salaries in the league.
Excessive
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With the WNBA’s history of operating at a loss for three decades, Whitlock contended that the current yearly salary of $75,000 for players is already excessive. He suggested that there is a deliberate effort to foster a sense of entitlement among these female athletes.
2.4 million viewers
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Amid the rising popularity of the WNBA, fueled by standout players like Clark and Reese, Whitlock’s remarks have surfaced. The 2024 WNBA Draft, as reported by The Atlantic, attracted 2.4 million viewers, marking a substantial 307 percent increase from the previous year. The issue of player salaries has garnered attention from none other than President Joe Biden, who argued that female athletes in the WNBA are not receiving their “fair share.”
Salary increases
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However, for any serious consideration of salary increases, the surge in popularity must translate into financial profitability. As highlighted by Whitlock, the WNBA has yet to turn a profit. The league is financially supported by the NBA, which holds a 50 percent ownership stake in the WNBA and provides an annual subsidy of $15 million to assist in covering the operational expenses of WNBA teams.
WNBA’s revenue
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Reports on the WNBA’s revenue vary, with some sources indicating $60 million in revenue for 2022 and a projected revenue of up to $200 million for 2023. These reports, however, do not specify the total profits earned by the league in those years. In comparison, the NBA generated approximately $10.58 billion in revenue during the 2022 season, although the exact profit margin remains unclear.
Profitability
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These figures underscore that the debate over WNBA player salaries ultimately hinges on one fundamental factor: profitability. The WNBA operates as a business, and players who opt for a career in the league do so willingly, fully aware of its historical financial struggles.
NBA players
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In this context, Whitlock’s stance holds merit: WNBA players should not expect salaries comparable to NBA players, given the substantial disparity in profitability between the two leagues.
Uncomfortable reality
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This uncomfortable reality underscores the essence of the debate—it’s not solely about fairness or equality but rather about practicality. Presently, the WNBA lacks the financial capacity to remunerate its players at NBA levels, considering the vast revenue gap of 166 times between the two leagues.
Financially strained
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Ultimately, both the NBA and WNBA are business entities. A financially strained business cannot afford to pay its workforce beyond its means.
Emotional rhetoric
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Moreover, commentators like Whitlock likely advocate for the WNBA’s success, emphasizing the importance of logical and factual arguments over emotional rhetoric.
Emergence of talents
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On a positive note for the WNBA, the emergence of talents like Clark and Reese presents an opportunity for the league to improve its financial standing, increase revenue, attain profitability, and enhance player compensation.
