The Sad Reality Of The WNBA and Its Wage Gap

[Lalouie]

Sue bird ice water in her veins!

we don't care

[Clyde Frazier]

Sue bird ice water in her veins!

we don't care

Oh no.

[isekii]

Equal pay for equal work. They both play basketball, one gets paid a boatload of money more for the same work. This is textbook sexism on multiple levels.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

Same work, but output matters....

It's not even the same work. WNBA season is only 34 games.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

That's 34 games I have no interest in watching.

[Infinite Llamas]

I mean, I can watch an NBA game and a WNBA game and recognize there are vast differences. But the thing I watch basketball for the most is the love of the game, and that can come out in many different forms. I want to see players having fun and competing and putting everything on the line. and that doesn't have to mean acrobatic dunks or insane vertical leaps. That's why it's easy for me to enjoy the WNBA, a college game, NBA or even a team of kids at the YMCA (where I used to coach). You just want to see passion and appreciation for the sport. It's really quite simple for me.

I bet you passion isn't enough for you to go out and buy tickets, attend games and buy player jerseys.

Honestly, I try to watch the Sun and the Celtics live once a year as both are a bit of a hike for me. I only have one jersey and that’s for my all time fave player (1992-93 Kings Away Mitch Richmond) so I’m not much of a jersey guy. But I watch a bunch of the games over the summer and yes, I might not be the ideal supporter for the league or players, but I do what I can and it’s the best I can do.

[bondom34]

Also for the "teams don't make enough to pay them more" the players' issue is that they get a lower percentage of BRI.

https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/7/31/17633152/wnba-player-salaries-revenue-share-opportunities

According to a Forbes article in February 2018, the NBA’s 30 teams made $7.4 billion in the previous season. So NBA players made about half of that amount. When there are billions of dollars involved, it isn’t surprising to see the average NBA player is making millions of dollars.

How much do WNBA players make in comparison? According to Adam Grosbard of the Dallas Morning News, the league’s 12 teams made at least $51.5 million in 2017, including a $25 million broadcasting deal with ESPN and $26.5 million in ticket sales. However, the WNBA salary cap is under $1 million. Since there are 12 WNBA teams, that’s a little less than $12 million, which is under 25 percent of revenue, and perhaps closer to 20 percent since that figure doesn’t include merchandise sales. Ultimately, the average WNBA salary is about $76,000.

[HEAT33]

I think the WNBA is so boring, I never even seen a full game because I turned it off or switched channels, I can clearly see why they don’t get paid nearly the same and it’s very obvious.

Now would be nice if they did get more money, they need a Jordan type player with the same hype to probably bring in more money, maybe someday.

[mademan]

Also for the "teams don't make enough to pay them more" the players' issue is that they get a lower percentage of BRI.

https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/7/31/17633152/wnba-player-salaries-revenue-share-opportunities

According to a Forbes article in February 2018, the NBA’s 30 teams made $7.4 billion in the previous season. So NBA players made about half of that amount. When there are billions of dollars involved, it isn’t surprising to see the average NBA player is making millions of dollars.

How much do WNBA players make in comparison? According to Adam Grosbard of the Dallas Morning News, the league’s 12 teams made at least $51.5 million in 2017, including a $25 million broadcasting deal with ESPN and $26.5 million in ticket sales. However, the WNBA salary cap is under $1 million. Since there are 12 WNBA teams, that’s a little less than $12 million, which is under 25 percent of revenue, and perhaps closer to 20 percent since that figure doesn’t include merchandise sales. Ultimately, the average WNBA salary is about $76,000.

...compared to the NBA. Which is a terrible comparison to make.

[bondom34]

Also for the "teams don't make enough to pay them more" the players' issue is that they get a lower percentage of BRI.

https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/7/31/17633152/wnba-player-salaries-revenue-share-opportunities

According to a Forbes article in February 2018, the NBA’s 30 teams made $7.4 billion in the previous season. So NBA players made about half of that amount. When there are billions of dollars involved, it isn’t surprising to see the average NBA player is making millions of dollars.

How much do WNBA players make in comparison? According to Adam Grosbard of the Dallas Morning News, the league’s 12 teams made at least $51.5 million in 2017, including a $25 million broadcasting deal with ESPN and $26.5 million in ticket sales. However, the WNBA salary cap is under $1 million. Since there are 12 WNBA teams, that’s a little less than $12 million, which is under 25 percent of revenue, and perhaps closer to 20 percent since that figure doesn’t include merchandise sales. Ultimately, the average WNBA salary is about $76,000.

...compared to the NBA. Which is a terrible comparison to make.

That's really the only one to make.

[XxIronChainzxX]

Also for the "teams don't make enough to pay them more" the players' issue is that they get a lower percentage of BRI.

https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/7/31/17633152/wnba-player-salaries-revenue-share-opportunities

...compared to the NBA. Which is a terrible comparison to make.

That's really the only one to make.

But it's really a labour issue. They make less BRI because the owners have more negotiating power. NBA players get a big slice even compared to other male only pro sports because of the small # of players and the resulting bargaining power. NFL and NHL players get way less.

[mademan]

Also for the "teams don't make enough to pay them more" the players' issue is that they get a lower percentage of BRI.

https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/7/31/17633152/wnba-player-salaries-revenue-share-opportunities

...compared to the NBA. Which is a terrible comparison to make.

That's really the only one to make.

It really isnt. The only similarities between the 2 are that they play basketball. The NBAPA can negotiate for a higher % of the BRI because the NBA is hugely successful. The WNBA is not. They are making 25% of revenue of an organization that loses money. It's insane and ridiculously entitled to demand more.

[bondom34]

...compared to the NBA. Which is a terrible comparison to make.

That's really the only one to make.

But it's really a labour issue. They make less BRI because the owners have more negotiating power. NBA players get a big slice even compared to other male only pro sports because of the small # of players and the resulting bargaining power. NFL and NHL players get way less.

But when comparing them to their NBA counterparts (which was really the point of the idea of the wage gap) they make well less as a portion of the cap. The NBA union obviously has something to do with it, but it is why the gap exists and is larger than needed.

[bondom34]

...compared to the NBA. Which is a terrible comparison to make.

That's really the only one to make.

It really isnt. The only similarities between the 2 are that they play basketball. The NBAPA can negotiate for a higher % of the BRI because the NBA is hugely successful. The WNBA is not. They are making 25% of revenue of an organization that loses money. It's insane and ridiculously entitled to demand more.

Literally from that link:

the league’s 12 teams made at least $51.5 million in 2017, including a $25 million broadcasting deal with ESPN and $26.5 million in ticket sales. However, the WNBA salary cap is under $1 million.

[clyde21]

Also for the "teams don't make enough to pay them more" the players' issue is that they get a lower percentage of BRI.

https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/7/31/17633152/wnba-player-salaries-revenue-share-opportunities

According to a Forbes article in February 2018, the NBA’s 30 teams made $7.4 billion in the previous season. So NBA players made about half of that amount. When there are billions of dollars involved, it isn’t surprising to see the average NBA player is making millions of dollars.

How much do WNBA players make in comparison? According to Adam Grosbard of the Dallas Morning News, the league’s 12 teams made at least $51.5 million in 2017, including a $25 million broadcasting deal with ESPN and $26.5 million in ticket sales. However, the WNBA salary cap is under $1 million. Since there are 12 WNBA teams, that’s a little less than $12 million, which is under 25 percent of revenue, and perhaps closer to 20 percent since that figure doesn’t include merchandise sales. Ultimately, the average WNBA salary is about $76,000.

That's not the way it works, though. WNBA players make 25% of revenues because the revenues are not enough to cover the costs of the league. If you inflate that to 50% or anywhere close to that, the owners might as well shut the league down at that point.

Sorry, this is just the reality of the situation, and painting at as men get 50% while women get 25% is quite disingenuous by the article that doesn't take into account numerous other factors.

[bondom34]

Also for the "teams don't make enough to pay them more" the players' issue is that they get a lower percentage of BRI.

https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/7/31/17633152/wnba-player-salaries-revenue-share-opportunities

According to a Forbes article in February 2018, the NBA’s 30 teams made $7.4 billion in the previous season. So NBA players made about half of that amount. When there are billions of dollars involved, it isn’t surprising to see the average NBA player is making millions of dollars.

How much do WNBA players make in comparison? According to Adam Grosbard of the Dallas Morning News, the league’s 12 teams made at least $51.5 million in 2017, including a $25 million broadcasting deal with ESPN and $26.5 million in ticket sales. However, the WNBA salary cap is under $1 million. Since there are 12 WNBA teams, that’s a little less than $12 million, which is under 25 percent of revenue, and perhaps closer to 20 percent since that figure doesn’t include merchandise sales. Ultimately, the average WNBA salary is about $76,000.

That's not the way it works, though. WNBA players make 25% of revenues because the revenues are not enough to cover the costs of the league. If you inflate that to 50% or anywhere close to that, the owners might as well shut the league down at that point.

From that quote, they're making money that does cover those costs.

[Sixerscan]

...compared to the NBA. Which is a terrible comparison to make.

That's really the only one to make.

But it's really a labour issue. They make less BRI because the owners have more negotiating power. NBA players get a big slice even compared to other male only pro sports because of the small # of players and the resulting bargaining power. NFL and NHL players get way less.

... and so they're trying to improve their negotiating position by publicly making note of the discrepancy.

Everyone that's acting like they are asking for handouts or something are super missing the point. They're attempting to negotiate higher wages just like anyone would. If public pressure helps them then they should absolutely use that as a tool.

[clyde21]

Also for the "teams don't make enough to pay them more" the players' issue is that they get a lower percentage of BRI.

https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/7/31/17633152/wnba-player-salaries-revenue-share-opportunities

That's not the way it works, though. WNBA players make 25% of revenues because the revenues are not enough to cover the costs of the league. If you inflate that to 50% or anywhere close to that, the owners might as well shut the league down at that point.

From that quote, they're making money that does cover those costs.

Literally from your link:

It’s possible that the players may opt out and demand a percentage of revenue. But most teams are unprofitable or claim to be. Also, with the lack of a multi-billion dollar television deal like the NBA, WNBA team operation costs are a higher percentage of revenue. Drastically raising wages to players without the revenue to back it up will raise costs dramatically. It will put some teams deep in the red.

[mademan]

That's really the only one to make.

It really isnt. The only similarities between the 2 are that they play basketball. The NBAPA can negotiate for a higher % of the BRI because the NBA is hugely successful. The WNBA is not. They are making 25% of revenue of an organization that loses money. It's insane and ridiculously entitled to demand more.

Literally from that link:

the league’s 12 teams made at least $51.5 million in 2017, including a $25 million broadcasting deal with ESPN and $26.5 million in ticket sales. However, the WNBA salary cap is under $1 million.

Thats revenue

Half of the W.N.B.A.’s 12 teams lose money, and they benefit from revenue generated by the N.B.A.’s national television and sponsorship deals. This season, the $25 million the W.N.B.A. is getting from its primary broadcaster, ESPN, is a tiny fraction of the N.B.A.’s average $930 million payment from ESPN and TNT, which will rise to about $2.6 billion next season.

In a rare and candid moment last year, James L. Dolan, who owns the W.N.B.A.’s Liberty and the N.B.A.’s Knicks, told HBO’s “Real Sports” that he came close to handing the franchise back to the league in 2015.

“It hasn’t made money,” he said. “Its prospects of making money, at that time and even today, are still slim.”

[mademan]

That's really the only one to make.

But it's really a labour issue. They make less BRI because the owners have more negotiating power. NBA players get a big slice even compared to other male only pro sports because of the small # of players and the resulting bargaining power. NFL and NHL players get way less.

... and so they're trying to improve their negotiating position by publicly making note of the discrepancy.

Everyone that's acting like they are asking for handouts or something are super missing the point. They're attempting to negotiate higher wages just like anyone would. If public pressure helps them then they should absolutely use that as a tool.

Absolutely. And people are also right to lambast them for trying to make this into a sexist issue. It's wrong and only devalues real bigotry.

[bondom34]

That's not the way it works, though. WNBA players make 25% of revenues because the revenues are not enough to cover the costs of the league. If you inflate that to 50% or anywhere close to that, the owners might as well shut the league down at that point.

From that quote, they're making money that does cover those costs.

Literally from your link:

It’s possible that the players may opt out and demand a percentage of revenue. But most teams are unprofitable or claim to be. Also, with the lack of a multi-billion dollar television deal like the NBA, WNBA team operation costs are a higher percentage of revenue. Drastically raising wages to players without the revenue to back it up will raise costs dramatically. It will put some teams deep in the red.

Isn't this what NBA franchises claim? Lack of profitability? Yet the CBA still gives players double the percent BRI.

WNBA players aren't even arguing for the same, they just want a bit more of a fair shake.

It really isnt. The only similarities between the 2 are that they play basketball. The NBAPA can negotiate for a higher % of the BRI because the NBA is hugely successful. The WNBA is not. They are making 25% of revenue of an organization that loses money. It's insane and ridiculously entitled to demand more.

Literally from that link:

the league’s 12 teams made at least $51.5 million in 2017, including a $25 million broadcasting deal with ESPN and $26.5 million in ticket sales. However, the WNBA salary cap is under $1 million.

Thats revenue

Half of the W.N.B.A.’s 12 teams lose money, and they benefit from revenue generated by the N.B.A.’s national television and sponsorship deals. This season, the $25 million the W.N.B.A. is getting from its primary broadcaster, ESPN, is a tiny fraction of the N.B.A.’s average $930 million payment from ESPN and TNT, which will rise to about $2.6 billion next season.

In a rare and candid moment last year, James L. Dolan, who owns the W.N.B.A.’s Liberty and the N.B.A.’s Knicks, told HBO’s “Real Sports” that he came close to handing the franchise back to the league in 2015.

“It hasn’t made money,” he said. “Its prospects of making money, at that time and even today, are still slim.”

See above, and they're not asking for the same wages, just an increase.


Aside, I also wouldn't trust Dolan.

[clyde21]

Isn't this what NBA franchises claim? Lack of profitability? Yet the CBA still gives players double the percent BRI.

Did you not read the quote?

NBA teams have multiple revenue streams, most prominently TV deals worth billions of dollars. WNBA teams don't. So they did the math and decided that they would need 75% of BRI to cover costs.

Again, if WNBA players got anywhere close to 50% like the mens' league, you might as well just shut the entire league down at that point.