Current Events > Angel Reese And Other WNBA Players are threatening a strike if demands not met

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https://sports.yahoo.com/article/angel-reese-other-wnba-players-182806902.html

Angel Reese is signaling that a WNBA league-wide strike could be on the horizon if player demands go unmet. Never one to shy away from speaking her mind, the All-Star made her position clear on a recent episode of her Unapologetically Angel podcast. I need to be in the meetings because Im hearing that if [the league] dont give us what we want, were sitting out, the 22-year-old declared. She was joined on the show by fellow WNBA player Dijonai Carrington, whos also served as the union representative for the Connecticut Sun representative. Thats a possibility, for real, the Dallas Wings player agreed.

The financial realities Reese and her peers face have long been a point of discussion in and outside of the league. Reese has addressed her low WNBA salary in the past and is set to earn $74,909 next season. Upon entering the league, Reese signed a four-year rookie contract worth $324,383 to play in the same WNBA that secured a $2.2 billion media rights deal in July 2024 to allow games to be aired live on Disney, NBC, and Amazon for the next 11 years. The disparities between the WNBA and its male counterpart, the NBA, are stark. Bloomberg reported that the WNBA generated $200,000,000 in revenue last season, with only 9.3 percent allocated to player salaries. On the flip-side, NBA players receive a full 50 percent of league revenue a share that amounted to a staggering $5.3 billion in 2023 alone.

I don't really give a shit about WNBA or any major league sports, but the clips I've seen of Reese look like the average high school basketball team playing.

Clark brought all of the recent success lol.

Blbmbr666 posted...

I don't really give a shit about WNBA or any major league sports, but the clips I've seen of Reese look like the average high school basketball team playing.

Clark brought all of the recent success lol.

Reese actually defeated Clark in the March Madness tournament they met in. Last year or the year before. She's just as good as Clark.

Zikten posted...

Reese actually defeated Clark in the March Madness tournament they met in. Last year or the year before. She's just as good as Clark.

That's not how team sports work

Blbmbr666 posted...

I don't really give a shit about WNBA or any major league sports, but the clips I've seen of Reese look like the average high school basketball team playing.

Clark brought all of the recent success lol.

Ok, Boomer.

The media rights deal is only $15 million per team per year. The revenue of 200 million last year would be another small amount to each team depending on how its all split. Once again, they need to generate much more revenue if they want salary anywhere near what the men make. Her and others being absolute shitholes to Caitlin Clark arent doing them any favors considering shes the one generating the most interest.

How can you get paid more if they're losing money? They wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for the NBA channelling funds into them.

I think I read somewhere that if they gave the revenue percentage she wants, players would make about $84,000 a year, $184,000 a year, something like that, because thats how little revenue there is.

I've also read that their % is from "League-wide" revenue, which doesn't include tickets, concessions, parking, or advertising/sponsorship deals. Which is something the NBA players do get.

So I think it's fair that they want a bigger cut. The league as a whole doesn't make a profit yet, but interest is increasing, so they'll probably get there soon.

People will hate because they're women but they're right to stand up for themselves and fight for better pay and work conditions

If they don't do it, no one will do it for them and they will get rolled.

This is what workers across the world should all be doing. Strong unions and solidarity constantly fighting their billionaire overlords who stomp on their faces

Maybe they should draw a single dime before demanding more pay and benefits I dunno.

The league is growing and they want their cut. I think they should've waited another year, but we'll see how it all plays out.

Vyrulisse posted...

Maybe they should draw a single dime before demanding more pay and benefits I dunno.

They kind of did which is why the league got a bigger TV deal last year. If those numbers are right, that split does feel incredibly low for the players and they deserve more, even if it's not 50%.

UnfairRepresent posted...

People will hate because they're women but they're right to stand up for themselves and fight for better pay and work conditions

If they don't do it, no one will do it for them and they will get rolled.

This is what workers across the world should all be doing. Strong unions and solidarity constantly fighting their billionaire overlords who stomp on their faces

Yes. I sort of agree.

Good for them if they stand up for themselves but they need to have realistic salary goals too. From that article, the league has $200,000,000 in revenue (not profit). The men had ~$11b. That is a pretty crazy difference. The average WNBA player just cant expect to make that much more money than they do from their current salaries.

Yeah, I'm not up for obfuscating mumbers and comparing apples to oranges. Tell us what they're asking for, shitty article.

Also, while I appreciate her and Clark supporting their fellow players, those two are making a shitload of money that the others aren't via endorsements. Reese's cups aren't signing a deal with anyone else. Continue to generate more interest in the league so that more of your teammates can get in on that

League's still not profitable. Regardless, I'm always up for advocating for workers. Now if it were someone other than players complaining? I'd say buy more tickets and streams or however it's marketed.

Blbmbr666 posted...

I don't really give a shit about WNBA or any major league sports, but the clips I've seen of Reese look like the average high school basketball team playing.

Clark brought all of the recent success lol.

So then what was the point in commenting if you arent educated about what you are talking abou. Oh I get it now. Thats why

Blbmbr666 posted...

I don't really give a s*** about WNBA or any major league sports,

So...why are you here then? Your opinion is wrong.

Like it or not, Clark has been the overwhelming factor for the WNBAs recent uptick in success. They (the players) can certainly capitalize on that. They have eyes on the product for the first time in well, ever.

The problem is that if Im the owners, I cant imagine them wanting to make concessions over what very well may be a blip on the radar. Can other stars grab a national spotlight the way that Clark did? Time will tell.

In the meantime, if the women can pull it off and get paid, all the power to them.

Do they have a cba and when is it up? At this point WNBA will make more money year after year.

name_unknown posted...

Do they have a cba and when is it up? At this point WNBA will make more money year after year.

Its not guaranteed since they also expanded to add 1 team this year and 2 more teams next year. More teams may mean less money to go around.

"Bloomberg reported that the WNBA generated $200,000,000 in revenue last season, with only 9.3 percent allocated to player salaries. On the flip-side, NBA players receive a full 50 percent of league revenue a share that amounted to a staggering $5.3 billion in 2023 alone."

The bolded absolutely should be the only talking points that matter. That is a ridiculously low percentage.

Crushed515151 posted...

So then what was the point in commenting if you arent educated about what you are talking abou. Oh I get it now. Thats why

ArkhamOrigins posted...

So...why are you here then? Your opinion is wrong.

Because it was a new post on the board I was checking? Didn't realize we had so many WNBA superfans here.

Blbmbr666 posted...

Because it was a new post on the board I was checking? Didn't realize we had so many WNBA superfans here.

Ok, Boomer.

Sandalorn posted...

"Bloomberg reported that the WNBA generated $200,000,000 in revenue last season, with only 9.3 percent allocated to player salaries. On the flip-side, NBA players receive a full 50 percent of league revenue a share that amounted to a staggering $5.3 billion in 2023 alone."

The bolded absolutely should be the only talking points that matter. That is a ridiculously low percentage.

On the surface, it seems unfair. But Id be curious about where the remaining 90.7% goes. While Im sure a healthy amount goes towards owners, I am guessing that a good amount goes towards various aspects to actually run the league.

The NBA generates so much more money that there is a lot of profit to go around. The WNBA makes a small fraction of that, so more of the total revenue would would need to be allocated to operating expenses.

Im not saying this is the case - just that it may be a reason why the numbers are so skewed. Anyone have any data that can be shown in regards to that?

The NBA gives the WNBA $15 million a year to help cover costs. The NBA also owns a 50% stake in the WNBA. The league lost between 40-50 million last year despite all the increased popularity. Them asking for raises is rediculous.

Zikten posted...

Reese actually defeated Clark in the March Madness tournament they met in. Last year or the year before. She's just as good as Clark.

What a joke of a post

ADW posted...

The NBA gives the WNBA $15 million a year to help cover costs. The NBA also owns a 50% stake in the WNBA. The league lost between 40-50 million last year despite all the increased popularity. Them asking for raises is rediculous.

"Women should know their place" - The post.

Sandalorn posted...

"Women should know their place" - The post.

Do I get to ask for a raise at my job if I fail at what Im supposed to do? They want more money that doesnt exist. Its been a failing enterprise its entire existence.

ADW posted...

The NBA gives the WNBA $15 million a year to help cover costs. The NBA also owns a 50% stake in the WNBA. The league lost between 40-50 million last year despite all the increased popularity. Them asking for raises is rediculous.

Even if their league is operating at a loss, the % they get is small. It's really not an unreasonable ask to want it increased.

Like, some of the big players made more from college endorsement than they're making from the WNBA

kinetika_ posted...

What a joke of a post

How is that?

NoxObscuras posted...

Even if their league is operating at a loss, the % they get is small. It's really not an unreasonable ask to want it increased.

How is it not unreasonable? Lets just be even more unprofitable just because?

ADW posted...

The NBA gives the WNBA $15 million a year to help cover costs. The NBA also owns a 50% stake in the WNBA. The league lost between 40-50 million last year despite all the increased popularity. Them asking for raises is rediculous.

If you want more support, maybe learn to spell ridiculous... or at the least spell check it before you post.

Imagine striking when the NBA is losing money to keep your league alive

devilupsteve posted...

If you want more support, maybe learn to spell ridiculous... or at the least spell check it before you post.

What would you have said if that one letter was different? Would you have even posted at all? Any actual thoughts on the matter?

Lol why does she make a non-contested layup look like a contested layup?
https://youtube.com/shorts/c6Ax_0GIOU0

Reese and Carrington are both divas lol. Nobody is watching for them.

ADW posted...

What would you have said if that one letter was different? Would you have even posted at all? Any actual thoughts on the matter?

Probably nothing, probably not, I am kinda drunk though. Just wanted to point out that if you want people to actually pay attention to what you say, maybe you should spend more than 3 seconds posting. I actually agree btw. As far as I know the NBA has been subsidizing the WNBA for their entire existance. You want more money? Cool, make more people want to watch you (and therefore pay to watch you) play.

*edit* I swear I'm not that person who used to end ever post with "Just really drunk." I am quite drunk though.....

ShineboxPhil posted...

Lol why does she make a non-contested layup look like a contested layup?
https://youtube.com/shorts/c6Ax_0GIOU0

lol who the fuck put that stupid AI voice and ridiculous laugh over this video just to get clicks?

devilupsteve posted...

Probably nothing, probably not, I am kinda drunk though. Just wanted to point out that if you want people to actually pay attention to what you say, maybe you should spend more than 3 seconds posting. I actually agree btw. As far as I know the NBA has been subsidizing the WNBA for their entire existance. You want more money? Cool, make more people want to watch you (and therefore pay to watch you) play.

*edit* I swear I'm not that person who used to end ever post with "Just really drunk." I am quite drunk though.....

Looks like you misspelled existence up there bro. Might want to take your own advice.

thronedfire2 posted...

lol who the fuck put that stupid AI voice and ridiculous laugh over this video just to get clicks?

Seemed to work.
1.4 million views

ADW posted...

Looks like you misspelled existence up there bro. Might want to take your own advice.

Shit, looks like I did. I'm drunk bud, what's your excuse?

devilupsteve posted...

Shit, looks like I did. I'm drunk bud, what's your excuse?

Its an honest insignificant mistake that isnt worth a drive-by snark post telling a person their whole argument is null and void due to one little spelling error.

The_Popo posted...

Like it or not, Clark has been the overwhelming factor for the WNBAs recent uptick in success. They (the players) can certainly capitalize on that. They have eyes on the product for the first time in well, ever.

The problem is that if Im the owners, I cant imagine them wanting to make concessions over what very well may be a blip on the radar. Can other stars grab a national spotlight the way that Clark did? Time will tell.

In the meantime, if the women can pull it off and get paid, all the power to them.

Yeah, good take. Even if the league is still not profitable (it never has been in almost 30 years of existence), this is still the most mainstream attention the WNBA has ever garnered. I don't blame the players for actually trying to capitalize on their first semblance of leverage in three decades. Can it work on owners who are already losing money? I doubt it, but again, I don't blame the players.

And honestly, I commend Angel Reese for taking this stance. Yes, she's clearly more interested in being a celebrity than a professional athlete, but she is probably making 30x more from her endorsements and other ventures than her actual player salary. I'd assume she's the second-highest earning player in the league behind Clark. This is one of the very few players who might actually benefit by staying quiet and not upsetting the people in charge, yet she's standing in solidarity with the other players who only make like $80k and have no endorsements to speak of.

lilORANG posted...

Reese and Carrington are both divas lol. Nobody is watching for them.

Reese has plenty of fans, myself included. She is objectively popular. She has her own McDonalds meal, podcast, etc.

YoBlazer posted...

Yeah, good take. Even if the league is still not profitable (it never has been in almost 30 years of existence), this is still the most mainstream attention the WNBA has ever garnered. I don't blame the players for actually trying to capitalize on their first semblance of leverage in three decades. Can it work on owners who are already losing money? I doubt it, but again, I don't blame the players.

And honestly, I commend Angel Reese for taking this stance. Yes, she's clearly more interested in being a celebrity than a professional athlete, but she is probably making 30x more from her endorsements and other ventures than her actual player salary. I'd assume she's the second-highest earning player in the league behind Clark. This is one of the very few players who might actually benefit by staying quiet and not upsetting the people in charge, yet she's standing in solidarity with the other players who only make like $80k and have no endorsements to speak of.

Well said.

LuigiChalmersJr posted...

Reese has plenty of fans, myself included. She is objectively popular. She has her own McDonalds meal, podcast, etc.

Shes pretty recognizable and popular in Chicago

The league's profitability isn't actually particularly relevant in the discussion of underpaying players. Obviously there is no way to pay the players NBA salaries, the money is absolutely no there. But for any company, payroll is an expense where profitability can only have so much impact. If your business isn't offering a competitive salary, then you are likely never becoming profitable because you won't have people to run thr company. This is even more true if the people you pay are the product because it means you are gonna try to become profitable while offering a crappy product.

If the WNBA isn't willing to take losses to actually pay their players well, then they might as well shutter the whole operation because they'll never make it.