WNBA PLAYERS SHOULD BE PAID LIKE MEN
BY MARK HALPERN
Over the past few years we have seen a huge increase in popularity in women’s sports, mostly the WNBA. The WNBA began in June of 1997 and over the past two and a quarter decades we have seen some amazing players come through and retire and join the Basketball HOF. One thing that has been at the center of discussions has been equal pay between Men’s and Women’s sports. Whether it’s the United States National Soccer teams or the WNBA, equal pay has been a major topic of conversation. In it’s 28 year history the WNBA has produced legends such as Sue Bird, Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, Sheryl Swoops, Diana Taurasi. Now, there’s a new wave of popularity in the WNBA and a big reason for that is the success of players like Sabrina Ionescu, Brianna Stewart, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese.
Recently Angel Resse has talked about how her $73,000 dollar contract (this not including any sponsors deals) can’t cover her lifestyle. Last season Reese shot 39% from the field, a poor 18% from three point and had a free throw percentage of 73%. Do numbers like that deserve big money? I can say however, she is a great rebounder, she only averaged 1.9 assists a game. Reese did average a double double last season with 13.6 points per game (third on the Sky), and 13.1 Rebounds per game (Led WNBA) Look every sport ( Men’s and women’s) have rookie contracts, and with Reese entering her second season, an extension isn’t on the table at the moment. Play out the rookie deal and then go from there.
The WNBA got it’s biggest investment ever to rebuild the brand and make it more affordable for people to attend an see the players they actually want to see. Reese, has had some attitude problems, and she has to change that to a degree. Yes she set anWNBA record for most consecutive games with a double/double and that’s a record to be proud of.
I understand when you have players in the NBA making 50 million a season and there is practically no WNBA player to reach those heights and yes there should be a scale but all the factors that I talked about besides play has to be included. I am for all equal pay if the player deserves it.
If Angel Reese wants to be taken seriously she needs a reality check and be brought down to earth. One of the big components on why there’s not equal pay, is that the WNBA just isn’t as popular as the NBA. Why is that, I don’t know, but Angel Reese along with Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, among others have an opportunity to grow the WNBA, and that could one day lead to equal pay. My opinions are that of my own and not generated by anyone else and that’s how the Old Man sees it.
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