In the ongoing conversation about WNBA player salaries, New York Liberty standout Breanna Stewart acknowledges that achieving substantial change in the league will require time.
Speaking at the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Media Summit in New York City, the 29-year-old emphasized the league’s youth compared to other major sports organizations, noting the WNBA’s 28 years in operation versus longer histories in leagues like the NFL and MLB.
Stewart, a mother of two, highlighted the strides made in the WNBA, particularly with the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) forged in 2020. This agreement, which improved pay and benefits, especially for mothers, represents significant progress, according to Stewart. She pointed out that these agreements are renegotiated approximately every four years, suggesting that another opportunity to enhance conditions and salaries could arise soon.
Despite these advancements, Stewart stresses that increasing player compensation is not a swift process. It involves a complex interplay of on-court performance and off-court developments, including media rights and sponsorships. The WNBA, for instance, earns significantly less from media deals compared to the NBA, with Forbes reporting the NBA’s annual revenue from broadcasting rights at $2.6 billion, while the WNBA’s total from similar sources is around $65 million.
“You can talk about opportunities for pensions and charters and all these things, but it’s not something that’s going to change overnight, and it’s the mix between us continuing to be great on the court and taking advantage of the things happening off the court,” says Stewart via People.com
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert also weighed in, discussing the league’s economic challenges and the potential benefits of expanding the number of teams to enhance revenue and improve conditions. Engelbert is focused on redefining the WNBA as not just a sports league but a growth-oriented media and entertainment property.
The league is already seeing positive signs, with new players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese drawing increased attention and sales. For example, the Las Vegas Aces moved a preseason game to a larger venue to accommodate fans eager to see Clark play, indicating a rise in interest and commercial potential.
This attention is translating into higher jersey sales and televised games, signaling a growing support base that could eventually contribute to the financial robustness needed to support the players’ calls for better pay and conditions.
The 2024 WNBA season is set to begin on May 14, promising more exposure and opportunities to leverage this burgeoning interest.
