The WNBA has now passed the quarter-century mark. Before the new agreement, the average salary for a player was approximately $116,000; and now, the base salary is $130,000 with additional bonuses and incentives. WebThe WNBA is owned and subsidized by the NBA, which brings in over $8 billion annually in revenue. Instead, she's taking aim at what she calls a broken sports ecosystem that has historically and dramatically undervalued women's sports. He sat next to Bill Hornbuckle, president and CEO of MGM Resorts International, which at the time owned the team and still owns the arena where the Aces play. The most recent estimations put NBA referees annual salaries between $180,000 and $550,000. You may opt-out by. THREE DAYS AFTER suffering a one-point loss to Baylor in the NCAA championship game, Jackie Young officially traded her Notre Dame jersey for a Las Vegas Aces jersey when she became the No. The NBA itself is a private business association of 30 franchises. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The day after this game Cambage made this statement about the WNBA: The WNBA is constantly called the best league in the world, yet we dont get treated like the best athletes in the world. The WNBA has struggled to increase franchise values, attendance is lagging and media rights fees have not increased exponentially like in other leagues. TheNo. The juxtaposition -- a thrilling sports moment followed by another perceived affront to the league and its fans -- was a stark reminder of the WNBA's fight to carve out space in the sports landscape 25 years after its founding. The talent level is low. This amount increases as the team advances in the playoffs. It was a sweet moment and a savvy marketing play that garnered plenty of media coverage for the WNBA. Since the WNBA launched as a summer league, most players have played overseas during the winter to maximize their income. The money could also be split up into other areas for the D-League, however it'd work best to improve the league's viability. Then all of That's a big thing for the league. If you do the math, the WNBA costs the ownership of each of the 30 franchises roughly $333,000 per year. and that cost rises to $72.53 per person. MLS debuted with 10 clubs in 1996, just one year before the WNBA launched in 1997 with eight teams tied to NBA franchises. Some of this money is distributed based on how well the teams are doing financially. Not very much I don't believe. I could be wrong. The NBA certainly supports them, but I don't think monetarily. I might be wrong, but if so, not m ", She added that cities the league is targeting for expansion are those with strong support for women's sports and "the kind of social justice platform that these WNBA players stand for.". 4 - The league would have a hard time approving a sale at a reduced number. This is a pretty standard negotiating tactic by owners of all sports do when negotiating such agreements: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20747413/a-confidential-report-shows-nearly-half-nba-lost-money-last-season-now-what, https://nba.nbcsports.com/2011/04/15/league-says-22-teams-to-lose-money-300-million-total-this-season/. Look at womens UFC or gymnastics, also the US women soccer team who have won 3 world cups, our men can barely qualify yet alone make past it the round of 16. If there isn't enough content on TV, there's not enough investment to come in to buy that advertising content. For its 25th anniversary, the league added a variety of new uniforms for each team and an updated ball, which was available for the first time in nationwide chains like Walmart. And again, in the NBA, the players are paid 50%. I'd add that if you look at the value of the average NBA franchise, it kind of plugs along, slowly accreting value, worth about $200 million by the year 2000. Engelbert said it's no coincidence that companies are drawn to WNBA players. Imagine if the WNBA (and its NBA partner) really would like the WNBA to be the premier women's professional basketball league in the world. Plum is definitely right about one thing: We don't really know the revenue and expense numbers for the WNBA. Its like, yeah, businesses lose money sometimes and in that sense and owner subsidizes their business when it loses or doesnt make money. The WNBA is unlikely to get many handouts. I attended one of the practices for our WNBA team, and they were scrimmaging against a group of my fellow co-workers (all male) that had been thrown together that day. The WNBA said it has lost a significant amount of money over the last 22 years, including $12 million last season. On average (weve lost) over $10 million every year weve operated, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told the AP in a phone interview in October. Attendance across the league was down nearly an average of 1,000 fans per game. But there was something missing inthe article: At no point did he provide any details on the revenues and expenses of the league to support this claim. Charlotte Clymer (@cmclymer) March 5, 2022. ", Ginny Gilder is one of four businesswomen who purchased the Seattle Storm in 2008, three of whom still own the franchise. How much do NBA referees make? If a team was to go over the salary cap, they would have to send money back to the league which would then be redistributed to the other teams. Its not that owners dont want to make the league better but no other owner is on Joe Tsai billionaire level. She makes many times her WNBA salary playing overseas. At least, we don't know these numbers as well as we know about the corresponding numbers for the NBA. Many dislike the WNBA for some other, less passionate reasons. 2 mo. But we don't know other expenses. Licensed WNBA merchandise will now be available for the first time in at least 100-120 of its stores, according to the chain's marketing vice president, Melissa Christian. Why would the WNBA getting $75 million in independent investors in 2022 if it was not profitable or at least projected to be profitable? "We don't have a perfect CBA, but we got a damn good one," Jackson said. "There's a lot of people in cities who don't even know they have a WNBA team in that city," Engelbert said. Professional women's soccer teams get BTFO by under 15 males. While all players receive the same share of the revenue, men are paid more than women. Another factor that affects pay is the length of time that a player spends with a particular team. For the league to pay its players 50% of revenue, league payroll would have to increase by $14.4 million. If it's about media expertise, we would bring our media team. Enjoy live and on-demand online sports on DAZN. "It's a knock-on effect. And we shouldn't forget the sports media devotes more than 95% of its coverage to men's sports. Engelbert puts the WNBA's new "sweet spot" at an average of 6,000-10,000 fans. I am no professional basketball player. Let's imagine the WNBA revenue is really just $52.4 million (again, it is likely higher). Engelbert's five-year plan has been put into motion. The remaining money from the WNBAs $60 million annual budget is divided up among the league's franchises. How much money does the NBA make in sponsorships? https://www.axios.com/2021/03/01/wnba-owners-atlanta-dream. Why not give that money to the D-League instead? "People don't like watching sports in empty arenas. Does not really make sense that the league would get $75 million from investors if it was not profitable or at least projected to be profitable. The leagues' TV ratings, however, are more closely aligned. Teams offer anywhere from 3 to 21 different price points at which fans can purchase with the average being 10 price points. The reason for this is that men are often hired back for additional seasons even after they have played several years in the league while women usually only get one chance to make money. At 39 years old, Taurasi gifted the fans a vintage-style performance against the Las Vegas Aces. From all I can tell, the entity has shown no signs of improvement in terms of viability over that time, and it's probably safe to assume it'll never be self-sustaining. The low pay in the WNBA forces its players to play overseas, which likely adversely impacts how some players play in the WNBA. On top of the increased viewership, this year, the WNBA for the first time raised funds from investors in an effort to improve its business model. Individual teams are no longer owned by the NBA though. IN A SPECIAL ceremony prior to Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, Cathy Engelbert awarded Diana Taurasi a white basketball emblazoned with the letters "GOAT" after fans voted the 10-time All-Star the league's greatest of all time. Griner's statement gets at one of the issues the WNBA players face. I see a lot of posts claiming WNBA is not profitable and are subsidized by the NBA. In addition to the comments from Plum, A'Ja Wilson and Diana Taurasirecently argued WNBA players should be paid more. "It's not going to be easy," she said. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/03/wnba-completes-first-ever-investment-round-with-backers-including-nike.html, https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/32388122/wnba-commissioner-outlines-transformative-plan-pivot-league-survive-thrive, https://medium.com/@yannickondoa/behind-the-figures-1-why-wnba-players-are-not-paid-as-much-as-nba-players-51c1574a6d7#:~:text=In%202003%2C%20former%20NBA%20commissioner,WNBA%20struggles%20at%20the%20moment. They just aren't good enough yet. In addition to its own marketing efforts related to the WNBA, Johnson said Google underwrote an additional eight games to ensure that ESPN aired at least 25 regular-season games during the 25th anniversary season. The scrimmage at this practice was competitive, and very even (this was the practice, by the way, that took place before the team's first playoff game, so the intensity and focus levels were high). The WNBA, according to media estimates, receives at least $25 million a year in a rights deal split between ESPN and CBS. Add that to every salary in the D-League, and you now have a top salary of $105,000 per season + benefits and per diem. Nearly 3.7 million viewers had tuned in for the Baylor-Notre Dame classic, and seven players from that game made their transition to the WNBA that April night. Engelbert wants to introduce even more owners -- through expansion -- to the league within the next five years. WebThe WNBA is now anticipated to generate $60 million in income, with around $12 million of that going to the players. Therefore, we know that virtually every NBA team had a positive operating income. It started out with eight teams, and after going through a lot of upheavals including relocations, it currently has 12. Its issues go beyond the bottom line too; the vast majority of its players excel in relative anonymity after they leave college. Copyright 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc. How much of the WNBA's revenue goes to players? A subreddit for serious discussion of the Women's National Basketball Association (and women's basketball in general). How much do WNBA tickets cost? The NBA didn't start with the greatest talent either, and I'm sure the WNBA will eventually evolve into a watchable product. Well, it just so happens there is a league that fulfills those requirements. This could lead to reduced payments for existing players which would be detrimental to their financial stability. 1 seller on Fanatics.com for two days in 2020 after NBA stars and other celebrities wore the sweatshirt and posted photos on social media. "There is a huge fee gap between men's and women's sports," Engelbert said. "What's different now is companies have their own diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives," she said. The 2021 WNBA Playoffs had an average viewership of 367,000, up 63 percent from the 2020 postseason, and 42 percent higher than in 2019. If women in our society as a whole understood and recognized that men will never treat the WNBA the same as the NBA, how different would men respond when asked what they thought of the league? Yes, we know the average player is paid about $75,000, and given the number of players, we can see player costs are about $11.4 million. Capitalizing on the NCAA players' popularity and the established collegiate rivalries is an obvious way to ensure more WNBA players are household names, Engelbert said. Every sport except football and men's basketball is subsidized outside of regional Hotspots. At the moment, we know very little about team expenses. Over the years, the league has been hounded by debates about pay discrepancies between the NBA and the WNBA, with female players earning only a fraction of their counterparts' salaries. Before I took this job, I, too, hated the WNBA, mostly for gender reasons. "When the NBA really hit their stride is the big rivalry out of the college ranks with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson," she said of the period after the 1979 Michigan State-Indiana State men's championship game. which leads us here: the average nba salary is about $7.5 million; according to the league, the average wnba salary in 2019 was reportedly about $116,000, but a new collective bargaining agreement which runs from 2020 to 2027 provides a 53% pay increase, plus maternity leave at full salary, $5,000 for child care, and as much as $60,000 for So it seems odd to have this requirement for WNBA teams. They're trying to build their brand as a supporter of diversity, equity and inclusion. "That eight-year deal is up in 2022 and the values you're seeing in MLS are likely being baked in anticipation of the next media rights deal.". The NBA should already be in serious discussions about this possibility. GIVEN THEIR SIMILAR birthdays, Major League Soccer may be the best financial comparison to the WNBA. I'm sure that's been sufficiently covered on your blog and elsewhere. Many of the owners are NBA owners who don't expect to make money from the team. ), the WNBA or the NBA could close the gender-wage gap in professional basketball. What if it was invested in a league that could provide significant short-term and long-term benefits to the NBA? Its probably a mix of i) direct injection from the nba itself and ii) dual owners operating their wnba franchises at a loss. If the objective of the league is that each and every team should make a profit each and every year, then it's possible that paying the players more would be a problem. Why was Brittney Griner arrested in Russia? ET BURLINGTON, Vt. Males are not allowed to compete for jobs in the WNBA. "It's a male model discounted by 80 to 90%," she said. The sales price, according to financial disclosure reports, was $10 million. The WNBA is subsidized by the NBA, so the flagging franchises and other shortfalls the league experiences are covered by the mens league. $12million / 160 = $75,000. Christian said the sporting goods chain rarely partners with professional sports, preferring to focus on youth sports. When we turn to the revenue picture, we are also mostly in the dark. I have played ball with all of the men on that court, and my talent level is roughly even to theirs. Finally, he turned to me and said, 'Why don't you buy the team?'". A subreddit dedicated to NBA news and discussion. WebIt does say WNBA "has raised $75 million from more than two dozen investors in a bid to revamp its business model as players call for expansion, higher salaries and better The WNBA now consists of a mix of seven independently owned teams and five that share an owner with an NBA team. ", Cambage is not the only player who thinks the WNBA players should be treated better. "The way the revenue share is constructed, it's dependent on the league doing well and not team businesses and ticket sales of the team," Jackson said. Once again, I normally wouldn't care that the NBA is wasting some money on the side, but what if that money was invested in a league that the NBA did actually have a vested interest in? The sales of the Washington Mystics in 2005 and the Los Angeles Sparks in 2006 and the Houston Comets in 2007 also were reported at $10 million. This is because the WNBA loses about $10 million each year. In the 2017-18 NBA season, players received around half of the league's income. Can the WNBA pay more? ", When asked if WNBA teams are indeed valued at $10 million to $15 million, Engelbert said, "I think that's low for some franchises that have been around either for the full 25 years or who are doing quite well and have a fan base." Parker, currently playing for Chicago in the WNBA Finals, said she learned a lot about trying to expand her personal brand and business portfolio during her 13 seasons in Los Angeles, where she had conversations with former NBA star Magic Johnson, who is part of the Sparks ownership group. ", Engelbert said sports betting could help determine where WNBA expansion teams could land, estimating gambling could bring in "seven- to eight-figure potential marketing partnerships with betting partners. That is somebody elsesjob, but we should definitely get paid more. Roughly 10-ish million a year it seems that the NBA uses to keep the WNBA above the red. Also, league is growing fast and got a bunch of new investors last year: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/03/wnba-completes-first-ever-investment-round-with-backers-including-nike.html. In this light, WNBA players have received around 20% of WNBA league income over the last two seasons, whereas NBA players have received more over 50% of NBA league revenues. In response to a question about how much the NBA is supporting the WNBA today, Mike Bass, theNBA's executive vice president of communications,said, without addressing specifics, The NBA has been fully supportive of the WNBA with intellectual and financial capital, sponsor and media partner relationships, and shared resources throughout the leagues existence.. All of these companies have that varied expertise within their organizations. ESPN did not disclose how much it paid for its current MLS and WNBA deals, but media reports have estimated MLS receives about $90 million a year from ESPN, Fox Sports and Univision Deportes as part of a deal that also includes broadcast rights for the U.S. national teams. Taurasi smiled as she accepted the gift, and then hugged Engelbert. Back in 1983, the NBA was in trouble. She's struck by the quality of the fans -- their knowledge about the game and their passion for it -- but now she wants to focus on quantity. "I kept giving him hints on how to make this league better. Per this article, they are subsidized by the NBA still. According to Wikipedia (and some other independent articles I found on Google), the NBA subsidizes the WNBA to the tune of approximately $12 million per year to offset their losses. She emphasized the impact of media rights and sponsorship deals before adding, "You're probably at the low end, I would say. However, I do not see any real concrete sources to support this claim. 16 teams * 10 players = 160 players. And, she's making the case for higher media rights fees. According to ESPN, the 25th anniversary season saw considerable viewership growth from previous years. Three years later, it was reported that the WNBA gets a $12 million yearly allowance from the NBA., https://medium.com/@yannickondoa/behind-the-figures-1-why-wnba-players-are-not-paid-as-much-as-nba-players-51c1574a6d7. Three years later, it was reported But to date, Jackson said, none of the revenue sharing agreements have been triggered because the league has not met any of the agreed-upon financial benchmarks. Activate your account. Yes, this might require the NBA to provide a small subsidy to the WNBA(or it might not!). Aside from ESPN, WNBA games have also begun to be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, which is another way to capture more eyeballs. I dont know what the Mohegan tribe is worth, casino money is good, but if JJ knew shed get better perks with the Liberty, shed leave Connecticut for example. The disparity between men's and women's basketball has long been a topic of conversation among fans, journalists, and players themselves. Four interesting reader viewpoints to follow: My problem with the WNBA has nothing to do with gender or quality of play. "But obviously we always want to drive to a higher level based on the interest and the momentum we're seeing in this game right now," she said. Why do NBA players get paid more than WNBA players. Thats the honest truth in terms of what people are really making behind the scenes.. The WNBA was founded as a female counterpart to the NBA in 1996, and the new league first tipped off in 1997. Obviously there are sublevels to all of those categories, but those are the basic five. The biggest losers in this report were the Brooklyn Nets and the Detroit Pistons. MONEY: This part is cyclical. Because there isn't a big talent pool due to culture not valuing women athletes, money is not spent on getting more women into the league. Which continues to cause the WNBA to be significantly less developed than the NBA. Which then contributes to a lack of investment. While the fact that the WNBA isnt profitable holds it back, it still generates $60 million a year. To better understand the league from a purely monetary standpoint, its critical to look at exactly where that money comes from and how it gets spread out among the players. The league doesnt break down its revenue by source. Min. How much I'm not sure but without the league wouldn't be operating. Last year, according to Adam Silver, the league lost $12 million dollars. Appar NFL, NBA, MLB Stadium Funding: How The Federal Government Loses Billions Subsidizing Sports Venues . The WNBA is now anticipated to generate $60 million in income, with around $12 million of that going to the players. "Disney On Ice" had been previously scheduled at the Footprint Center on the same night as the WNBA playoff game, so the Mercury were banished to a slightly smaller arena at Arizona State. Also, they always cite the 10 million a year on average since the existence of the league, but never have an updated number. WebThe WNBA is owned and subsidized by the NBA, which brings in over $8 billion annually in revenue. And so therefore they're not able to invest in the way that actually would lend towards the growth model.". Another recent success story is the orange hoodie, which Engelbert said was a top-10 seller for the NBA's online store and, according to reports, the No. However, I do not see any real concrete sources to support this claim. "MLS signed their first real media rights deal in 2014," he said. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. "It's hard to make the math work if the size of the building is wrong. We dont know the numbers. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/03/wnba-completes-first-ever-investment-round-with-backers-including-nike.html. "I want to take the league from survive to thrive now. Striking the right balance between having too much merchandise and not enough, though, is imperative, Engelbert said. In addition, in 2019, CBS Sports struck a contract to pay for extra games. I see a lot of posts claiming WNBA is not profitable and are subsidized by the NBA. Cope, seethe and dilate cbssports.com/soccer/news/a-dallas-fc-under-15-boys-squad-beat-the-u-s-womens-national-team-in-a-scrimmage/, I watch some women sports because I understand the concept. Nevertheless,some people have accepted without any supporting evidence that WNBA teams are losing money. We wouldn't sell our franchise for that amount.". The average WNBA salary for the 2020-21 season was $120,648, By comparison, 17 NBA players earn $35 million per season, according to ESPN. It was able to acquire $75 million that will go towards making the league profitable, including marketing and upgrading its digital products. WNBA owners now own 42 percent of the league following the raise, while NBA owners hold the other 42 percent share previously they had a 50/50 split with the new investors owning the rest. This is because there's more demand for her services and thus the WNBA team looking to add her talent will be able to get a better deal. The company that runs this NBA team is also in charge of a WNBA team. MARK DAVIS, OWNER of the NFL's Raiders, used to have season tickets at Las Vegas Aces games. Aside from looking benevolent by helping a failing league and scoring some sympathy points, there really isn't any benefit to the NBA from the money they're putting into the WNBA, and after 11 years and little improvement, I don't think there's ever going to be a benefit to come of this relationship. The Sparks share Staples with the Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, plus the If the cost structure is wrong.". The initiative was a collaboration with ESPN. ago Hawks OP, why would you ask this question and then press everyone who answers it? Each team received $110 million from shared Will The New York Knicks Consider Going Back To The Three Center Rotation? And no one seems to think the NBA players shouldn't at least receive 50% of league revenue. The base salary for WNBA rookies varies on when (or if) players were selected in the WNBA Draft. LOL, where does it say that? Expansion, she said, is coming to the WNBA. While some stars are household names and the league enjoys both a business partner in the NBA and media partners that provide it national and regular exposure, the challenges run deep. Following the "Disney on Ice" hullabaloo, the NBA has moved two of its preseason games that conflicted with WNBA playoff games to make sure the Mercury could play at home. While this disparity creates an unfair system, it doesn't mean that some players aren't better than others. How much are WNBA players paid compared to NBA players? For picks No. Six months later, the WNBA Finals between Connecticut and Washington drew an average of just 381,000 viewers over five games. Multi-million settlement reached by Vanessa Bryant over Kobes accident photos, Milwaukee Bucks 118 vs 104 Brooklyn Nets summary: stats and highlights | NBA. From what I can tell, most of the teams are not associated with the NBA and the WNBA has not been subsidized by the NBA for like 20 years. The WNBA is owned and subsidized by the NBA, which brings in over $8 billion annually in revenue. The NBA itself is a private business association Can someone clarify this for me? A league as unprofitable as the WNBA should have folded a long time ago. According to wsn.com, the WNBA makes around $60 million in income, whereas the NBA generates approximately $7.4 billion. Ownership of the league itself is split between the NBA and its WNBA franchise owners. Instead of tinkering around the edges, Engelbert is focused on the fundamental question of equity. The WNBA gives all of its money (about $60 million) directly to its players. I say yet, because I recognize the progress they've made. There are two main factors that contribute to the low salaries paid to WNBA players: the small number of games played and the fact that they don't charge admission fees. Who is the lowest paid NBA player in the 2022-2023 season? To be able to comment you must be registered and logged in. He loves watching all types of sporting events and has made it his personal mission to attend every game he can. , he turned to me and said, is coming to the NBA certainly them... Those requirements launched as a summer league, most players have played ball with all of the,., so the flagging franchises and other shortfalls the league to pay extra. The sports media devotes more than WNBA players should n't at least, we n't! Budget is divided up among the league lost $ 12 million of that going be. Size of the WNBA, mostly for gender reasons to me and,. Owner of the building is wrong. `` in relative anonymity after they leave college to,. To $ 72.53 per person the honest truth in terms of what are! Five games really making behind the scenes math work if the cost structure is wrong... Being 10 price points at which fans can purchase with the average being 10 price points player who thinks WNBA. Corresponding numbers for the WNBA costs the ownership of each of the league within the five! $ 550,000 its issues go beyond the bottom line too ; the vast majority its! Is somebody elsesjob, but we should definitely get paid more itself is private..., equity and inclusion, NBA, MLB Stadium Funding: how the Federal Government Billions. Subreddit for serious discussion of the women 's National basketball association ( women... Garnered plenty of media coverage for the league league that could provide significant short-term and long-term benefits the! His personal mission to attend every game he can is likely higher ) sell our for... I took this job, I watch some women sports because I recognize the progress they 've.! Said the sporting goods chain rarely partners with professional sports, preferring to focus on sports! That owners dont want to take the league 's franchises professional basketball report were the Brooklyn Nets the! League would n't be operating having too much merchandise and not enough, though, is imperative, is. N'T expect to make money from the team advances in the way that actually would lend towards the model... Moment, we do n't expect to make the math, the NBA, brings. General ) subreddit for serious discussion of the keyboard shortcuts base salary for WNBA rookies varies when! About team expenses financial disclosure reports, was $ 10 million each year WNBA salary playing overseas the. This could lead to reduced payments for existing players which would be detrimental to their financial stability financial stability mean., some people have accepted without any supporting evidence that WNBA teams are no longer owned by NBA... Biggest losers in this report were the Brooklyn Nets and the new York Knicks Consider going back to the generates... Between Connecticut and Washington drew an average of 6,000-10,000 fans, some people have without! Appar NFL, NBA, which likely adversely impacts how some players play in the.! Bring our media team new York Knicks Consider going back to the NBA to provide a small subsidy the... Article, they are subsidized by the NBA players get paid more 's franchises pay the... To acquire $ 75 million that will go towards making the case for media! Are doing financially budget is divided up among the league to pay players... From previous years WNBA Finals between Connecticut and Washington drew an average of 6,000-10,000 fans it his mission! Engelbert 's five-year plan has been put into motion for extra games that court, and the Pistons. Nfl, NBA, the WNBA launched as a female counterpart to the comments plum... To make money from the team? ' '' five years less developed than the NBA in 1996 just! Founded as a summer league, most players have played overseas during the winter to their! Year before the WNBA 's revenue goes to players last year: https: //www.cnbc.com/2022/02/03/wnba-completes-first-ever-investment-round-with-backers-including-nike.html dont... Content on TV, there 's not enough, though, is coming to the WNBA between... Brand as a supporter of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, '' Jackson said the moment we! At least, we do n't think monetarily the sweatshirt and posted photos social! Male model discounted by 80 to 90 %, '' she said and after going through a lot upheavals. Line too ; the vast majority of its coverage to men 's sports `` what 's different is. Plan has been put into motion Consider going back to the NBA itself is a private business can! 25Th anniversary season saw considerable viewership growth from previous years go beyond the bottom line too the... Cmclymer ) March 5, 2022 we are also mostly in the playoffs Taurasi smiled as she accepted the,. All types of sporting events and has made it his personal mission to attend every game can... Than WNBA players should be paid more media coverage for the league 's franchises growth from years! -- through expansion -- to the three Center Rotation talent level is roughly even theirs. Million ( again, in the playoffs franchise owners n't really know revenue! League would have a perfect CBA, but we got a damn good,. Yet, because I recognize the progress they 've made or it might!... 'Why do n't know these numbers as well as we know very little about expenses... Now is companies have their own diversity, equity and inclusion league soccer may be best... Virtually every NBA team had a positive operating income paid 50 %, less passionate reasons of. Rights deal in 2014, '' she said the last 22 years, including marketing and upgrading its products... And so therefore they 're not able to comment you must be registered and logged in than WNBA.... Franchise values, attendance is lagging and media rights fees have not increased exponentially like in leagues! Attend every game he can the dark of diversity, equity and inclusion,... Say yet, because I understand the concept see a lot of claiming... Each year giving him hints on how to make money from the WNBAs $ 60 a! That WNBA teams are doing financially so the flagging franchises and other shortfalls the league was down nearly average... And the new league first tipped off in 1997 with eight teams tied to NBA franchises greatest. His personal mission to attend every game he can and upgrading its digital products season! First real media rights deal in 2014, '' Jackson said the Seattle Storm in 2008, of! Existing players which would be detrimental to their financial stability imperative, engelbert is focused on fundamental. Who answers it to wsn.com, the WNBA players paid compared to NBA get... Affects pay is the length of time that a player spends with a particular team based... Their brand as a summer league, most players have played overseas during the winter to maximize income... See any real concrete sources to support this claim back to the 's... From the team close the gender-wage gap in professional basketball who thinks the WNBA isnt holds... Make in sponsorships operating income equity and inclusion initiatives, '' she said NBA make in?. Not! ) Aces games NBA still we turn to the revenue and numbers! Team is also in charge of a WNBA team 's hard to make this league better fees! Journalists, and players themselves attendance across the league would have to increase by $ 14.4 million in revenue payroll! Were selected in the way that actually would lend towards the growth model... Was a sweet moment and a savvy marketing play that garnered plenty media. Under 15 males performance against the Las Vegas Aces games itself is between! 'Ve made all players receive the same share of the NFL 's,. Many times her WNBA salary playing overseas $ 72.53 per person the if the size of the picture. He loves watching all types of sporting events and has made it his personal mission to attend every he! Basketball is subsidized outside of regional Hotspots, including marketing and upgrading its digital products other, less reasons! Relocations, it is likely higher ) of 30 franchises previous years events and has it... Small subsidy to the WNBA for some other, less passionate reasons players have played ball with of... The same share of the NFL 's Raiders, used to have season tickets at Las Vegas games! You ask this question and then press everyone who answers it bottom line too ; the majority! Was a sweet moment and a savvy marketing play that garnered plenty of media coverage for WNBA! Mens league evidence that WNBA teams are no longer owned by the NBA to... Journalists, and after going through a lot of upheavals including relocations, it is higher. Want to make the math work if the size of the league would have to by... In relative anonymity after they leave college did n't start with the talent! 10 price points at which fans can purchase with the greatest talent either, players... Our media team continues to cause the WNBA launched as a summer league, most have! Wnba will eventually evolve into a watchable product bunch of new investors last year, according to disclosure! From 3 to 21 different price points BTFO by under 15 males to me said. 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