WNBA Strike ?? Not so fast my friend…

[CardsSunsDbacks]

It's the irony of it all. A top women's basketball player in college, making more than a top professional WNBA player drafted early… comparing apples to apples.

To be fair, WNBA women can also earn sponsorship money to go with their "low" salary. Though the salaries will likely triple with the new TV deal (assuming they can renegotiate the CBA before the 2026 season). That of course won't do much for the players coming in this season.

 

[Mainstreet]

To be fair, WNBA women can also earn sponsorship money to go with their "low" salary. Though the salaries will likely triple with the new TV deal (assuming they can renegotiate the CBA before the 2026 season). That of course won't do much for the players coming in this season.

Now I understand college men's basketball players may delay entering the NBA draft because of NIL.

The NBA now may have to raise the minimum salary to compete.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Now I understand college men's basketball players may delay entering the NBA draft because of NIL.

The NBA now may have to raise the minimum salary to compete.

They should leave it as is and let these guys develop more before coming into the league.

 

[Mainstreet]

They should leave it as is and let these guys develop more before coming into the league.

This may well be, but what is interesting, it's the NIL money that is making it happen.

College sports are imitating professional sports in regard to money going to athletes. The line is being blurred even more.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

This may well be, but what is interesting, it's the NIL money that is making it happen.

College sports are imitating professional sports in regard to money going to athletes. The line is being blurred even more.

The idea that a team can pay a player to go to their school feels odd to me. I get being allowed to collect sponsorship money or a percentage of merchandise sales or something like that.

 

[Adrian]

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese buys home in southwest suburban Lemont for $1.3M

A Maryland native, Reese played college basketball for the University of Maryland and for Louisiana State University, which she led to its first national championship.

www.chicagotribune.com

 

[MigratingOsprey]

Now I understand college men's basketball players may delay entering the NBA draft because of NIL.

The NBA now may have to raise the minimum salary to compete.

It won't happen with any top potential picks, the money spread is just too great

College basketball NIL deals aren't really going much above $3M right now - a top 4 pick is going to make $9-10M +

Anything top 15 is over $4M. You don't fall below $3M until pick 23ish.

The NBA gets a 2 year guarantee and once you are in, you are one year closer to the more lucrative second contacts. The rookie extensions can be nice - Jaden Hardy was picked in the late 30s and was able to get 3 years / $18M. Others are getting $30M - $40m per year on theirs.

 

[Adrian]

https://www.reuters.com/sports/reports-wnba-players-not-impressed-with-initial-cba-proposal-2025-07-03/

 

[Chaplin]

Who the heck is running the WNBA? They are completely mismanaging what is a renaissance for the league. Letting players just get away with beating Caitlin Clark on a regular basis and allowing all the racist rhetoric is destroying what good has been done since Clark was drafted. Throw in a terrible CBA proposal and it's like the league doesn't WANT to be successful.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Then you have a player shaming a fan for wearing Caitlin Clark gear to a WNBA game. Weird.

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[Mainstreet]

Then you have a player shaming a fan for wearing Caitlin Clark gear to a WNBA game. Weird.

I think it was more of a fandom message from the player. She gives the fan a jersey.

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[Brian in Mesa]

I think it was more of a fandom message from the player. She gives the fan a jersey.

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The whole line about "Do Better." could have been dropped in any case. Nothing wrong with wearing the shirt or jersey of any player you like.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I think it was more of a fandom message from the player. She gives the fan a jersey.

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It's called crap talk. It was likely more to do with the fan wearing non Sparks gear to the game. It's really not that deep IMO.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's called crap talk. It was likely more to do with the fan wearing non Sparks gear to the game. It's really not that deep IMO.

This is my thinking, especially since she gave the fan a jersey.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

It's called crap talk. It was likely more to do with the fan wearing non Sparks gear to the game. It's really not that deep IMO.

Yeah, I agree

While the league and players definitely do tend to go out of their way to not themselves likeable, I didn't think there is much here

This type of things isn't uncommon. Someone coming in and a player has fun with them because they aren't cheering them, so they give them some gear for their alliance.

These are typically fun moments and a nice part of sports - of course a player is going to think that cheering for them and their team is better

 

[Adrian]

Mercury's Sabally: WNBA's CBA proposal 'a slap in the face'

Mercury forward Satou Sabally called the WNBA's initial CBA proposal 'a slap in the face' as the league and its players are far apart leading into their first face-to-face meeting.

arizonasports.com

 

[Adrian]

WNBA All-Star 2025 what to watch: Team Clark vs. Team Collier, CBA negotiations and the game around the game

Saturday's All-Star Game between Team (Caitlin) Clark and Team (Napheesa) Collier is but one piece of the All-Star weekend puzzle, a fitting cap to a packed few days of events and anticipation.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Adrian]

Angel Reese gets candid on WNBA CBA negotiations during All-Star weekend: 'It is disrespectful'

Angel Reese explained why it was important for her to be involved in labor talks.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Adrian]

Gabby Williams on WNBA CBA talks ahead of All-Star Game: 'It's very clear that the league wants to push away all other leagues'

Williams has long been an outspoken critic of the WNBA's low salaries and its hostility toward other leagues.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Adrian]

Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas ‘prepared’ for potential lockout heading into CBA talks

Alyssa Thomas detailed during Friday's All-Star availability how she is preparing for a potential lockout ahead of CBA discussions.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Adrian]

With WNBA growth on full display, players utilize All-Star weekend to send CBA message: 'We’re fighting for what we’re due'

On Saturday, in front of a sold-out Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the players packed a punch with yet another black T-shirt screaming their message clearly, this time about the CBA they're negotiating with the league..

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Hoop Head]

The league has some momentum from the Caitlin Clark wave but a strike would be so bad. They still haven't turned a profit in their 28 year existence and the minute the owners can pocket that money, they will.

 

[jf-08]

WNBA All-Stars wearing shirts that say "Pay us what you owe us." LOL. The league operates at a loss and is subsidized by the NBA.

And its players beat the crap out of the only player that fans pay to watch - Caitlin Clark.

What a joke.

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

WNBA All-Stars wearing shirts that say "Pay us what you owe us." LOL. The league operates at a loss and is subsidized by the NBA.

And its players beat the crap out of the only player that fans pay to watch - Caitlin Clark.

What a joke.

I support the WNBA but it's a rough look on both sides of your statement. Clark is the golden goose to better pay and she gets treated really poorly.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

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