The NBA is the largest and most popular basketball league in the world. Thanks to its immense global fanbase, NBA athletes are paid millions of dollars in contracts and endorsements, making it a highly lucrative career for its players. In contrast, the WNBA has yet to achieve the same level of popularity or revenue generation as its male counterpart.
Despite stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese helping to bring more attention to the league, the WNBA still faces challenges in closing the gap in terms of viewership, fan engagement, and financial support.
So what’s holding back the WNBA from generating more interest and excitement? According to Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal, the answer lies in the lack of dunks in the women’s game. Shaq believes that increasing the number of dunks could significantly boost fan interest and, ultimately, the league’s financial success.
To address this, Shaq, also known as “The Big Aristotle,” suggested that the WNBA should consider lowering the rim height to allow for more dunking opportunities.
This idea, he believes, would make the game more exciting and comparable to the highlight-reel plays often seen in the NBA. However, reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson was not on board with the suggestion, expressing her disagreement with the concept of altering the rim height.
Following Wilson’s comments, Shaq took to Instagram to respond, doubling down on his proposal. He wrote, “60% of fans said dunking is their favorite part of basketball.
The WNBA has none of that. So they make much less money. Just trying to get you that $300 million you deserve, A’ja Wilson. Love y’all WNBA.”
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Shaq’s comments were met with mixed reactions, as several other prominent figures in women’s basketball voiced their opinions.
Former WNBA star Candace Parker, who has been an advocate for maintaining the integrity of the women’s game, responded to Shaq’s suggestion with a simple yet pointed comment: “Goodbye Shaq.” Parker’s reaction made it clear that she, like Wilson, was not in favor of lowering the rim, viewing the idea as unnecessary and potentially diminishing to the sport.
Despite the backlash from both current and former WNBA players, Shaq stood by his stance, arguing that his heart was in the right place.
He emphasized that his suggestion was meant to help increase the visibility and profitability of the WNBA, and he even added that the league could consider testing out a lower rim during the WNBA All-Star Game. To Shaq, experimenting in a non-competitive setting like the All-Star Game could provide valuable insights without fundamentally altering the sport.
The debate over Shaq’s suggestion highlights an ongoing discussion about the ways to grow the WNBA and bring more fans to the game. While some argue that lowering the rim could help the league replicate the high-flying excitement of the NBA, others believe that the women’s game should be celebrated for its own unique strengths, such as skillful ball movement, teamwork, and shooting accuracy.
Shaquille O’Neal’s proposal has sparked conversation across social media and among basketball enthusiasts, underscoring the passion people have for seeing the WNBA succeed. However, it also raises important questions about how best to achieve that growth.
The WNBA has made significant strides in recent years, with stars like A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese leading the charge and drawing in more viewers with their talent and charisma. For many, these players are proving that the women’s game is compelling enough on its own merits and does not need to be altered to attract attention.
Ultimately, Shaq’s suggestion comes from a desire to see the league and its players succeed and reach new heights financially. While his idea may have been controversial, the conversation it sparked serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to elevate women’s sports.
Whether or not lowering the rim ever becomes a reality, the discussion around it shows the commitment to finding ways for the WNBA to thrive and achieve the recognition it deserves.
