For too long, the WNBA has been undervalued. While the NBA gets nonstop hype and coverage, the WNBA as an organization can't even give their athletes basic respect, fair pay, and leadership that actually listens. The imbalance has gotten so bad that stars themselves are publicly speaking out, as they rightfully should!
Take a look at the 2025 All Star Game. Currently, the league is having CBA negotiations as their current agreement will be expiring by the end of October. Players chose to campaign by warming up in t shirts that stated "Pay Us What You Owe Us," while fans in the crowd chanted "pay them." This all is being brought to light because the players are pushing for a revenue sharing model, increased salaries, and better benefits. WNBA athletes are making this a public demand. They aren't asking for anything luxury or to even get the same amount that NBA players make, they just want the fundamentals. There is even an incident where a Caitlin Clark trading card sold for $660,000. That card, without discrediting her talent, with a rookie's face plastered on it was worth more than any full four year WNBA contract is worth. This type of imbalance isn't just theoretical, it's unacceptable and a joke! And let's talk about the audacity that Cathy Engelbert, the commissioner, had with her remarks when speaking to Napheesa Collier. Collier publicly claimed Engelbert made harsh comments towards the players that they should be thankful for the platform that the WNBA organization has provided them, specifically calling out Caitlin Clark that she should "be grateful." Engelbert ,with these remarks, is completely undermining the platform that these players grew themselves and discrediting the reputation they built long before the WNBA ever cashed in on them. She gives zero respect to what these players do for the league. Clark since has now joined the call for better pay. Other players have taken this public as well, like Kayla Thornton and Tiffany Haynes, demanding for transparency and a fair share as the league's revenue has been growing rapidly over the past few years. Even legends are speaking up about the imbalance. Diana Taurasi publicly stated that, at times, arena janitors made more than she was.
So yes, I'm ranting, but it's because this is the reality of the league. The WNBA is growing, attendance is rising, revenue is jumping, and the players are creating cultural waves. So where did the respect go? These women aren't asking for favors, just fairness. That doesn't seem like too much to ask to me. These players deserve better.
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