The WNBA is reportedly considering a financial change that would pay players more money.
This consideration reportedly stems from the recent imprisonment of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, who was arrested while playing overseas in Russian. The idea is if players get paid more in the United States, they won’t seek greater pay elsewhere during the WNBA offseason.
The WNBA has experienced some record-setting viewership to start the 2023-24 season, in large part due to Griner’s return to the court. Griner is hoping this increase in popularity with help fund improved player salaries.
“The whole reason a lot of us go over there is the pay gap. A lot of us go over there to make an income, to support our families, to support ourselves,” she said, via Front Office Sports. “So I don’t knock any player that wants to go overseas and wants to make a little bit extra money. But I’m hoping that our league continues to grow and, with as many people in here now covering this, I hope you continue to cover our league and bring exposure to us.”
Under the WNBA’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement, players are paid an average of $130,000 per year. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert says the league is working on “a long-term financial, economic model” that would help keep players in the states with better pay.
“They’re going to have to decide that for themselves,” she said. “We’re never going to tell players what to do or not do during their free time in the offseason. They’ll make [that decision] with their family, their agent, as to what they want to do in the offseason.
“… We’re building a real long-term financial, economic model that I think will make a great Harvard Business Review case study in four, five years. But we need a little more time to deploy that capital, grow the league, and get the right-sized valuation of our media rights.”
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