Angel Reese, one of the most outspoken voices in women's basketball, has once again ignited a heated discussion about WNBA salaries. In a recent statement that quickly went viral, Reese declared, "We should be getting paid like NBA players."
Her words have resonated with many athletes and fans who have long criticized the stark pay disparity between male and female professional basketball players.
The conversation around pay equity in sports has been ongoing for years, but Reese’s direct and passionate stance has brought it back into the spotlight. As a rising star in women's basketball, her call for equal pay is not just about her own earnings—it’s about the future of the WNBA and the respect that female athletes deserve.
The pay gap between the WNBA and NBA is staggering. The average NBA player makes several million dollars per year, while the average WNBA player earns just a fraction of that amount.
Even WNBA superstars, many of whom are among the best athletes in the world, struggle to secure salaries that reflect their talent and dedication to the game.
For comparison:
- The NBA’s average salary sits at around $8 million per year, with superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry earning upwards of $40–50 million annually in salary alone.
- Meanwhile, the WNBA’s average salary is around $120,000 per year, with the league’s highest-paid players making just over $200,000—a stark contrast to their male counterparts.
This massive gap is largely due to revenue generation. The NBA brings in billions in TV deals, sponsorships, and ticket sales, while the WNBA—though growing—has struggled to reach similar financial heights.
However, WNBA players argue that their salaries do not reflect the effort, talent, and marketability they bring to the sport.
Reese and other WNBA stars argue that they are not asking for identical salaries to the NBA, but rather a more equitable revenue share. Currently, NBA players receive around 50% of league revenue, while WNBA players only get about 20%.
If WNBA players were granted the same revenue split, their salaries would increase significantly without the league needing to match NBA salaries directly.
Additionally, WNBA players often have to play overseas in the offseason just to earn a living wage. Countries like Russia, Turkey, and China pay top WNBA players far more than their own league does, forcing them to take on year-round schedules that increase injury risks and limit recovery time.
This issue became a major point of discussion when Brittney Griner was detained in Russia, where she had been playing in the offseason to supplement her WNBA salary. Many argued that WNBA players should not have to leave the U.S. just to be paid fairly.
Reese has rapidly become one of the most recognizable faces in women’s basketball, not just for her skill on the court but for her willingness to speak out on important issues. Her confidence and authenticity have made her a fan favorite, and her voice carries weight in the ongoing fight for better conditions in the WNBA.
Beyond just pay, Reese has also spoken about improving travel conditions, marketing, and investment in the league. Many WNBA teams still fly commercial rather than on charter flights, leading to exhausting travel schedules that NBA players never have to deal with.
Additionally, the lack of marketing and media coverage for the WNBA has been a major hurdle in growing the league’s fanbase. Reese and other players have argued that if the league were promoted more aggressively, it could bring in higher revenues—allowing for better salaries.
The WNBA has been making strides in recent years, with increased viewership, sponsorship deals, and the emergence of high-profile stars like Reese, Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Sabrina Ionescu. However, the fight for fair pay is far from over.
Some believe the league needs to increase revenue before raising salaries, while others argue that players deserve a larger cut of existing profits right now. Regardless, the pressure is mounting, and Reese’s statement only adds more fuel to the fire.
Her words—"We should be getting paid like NBA players"—may seem bold to some, but to many, they represent a growing demand for fairness, respect, and recognition in women’s sports.
As the WNBA continues to evolve, it’s clear that voices like Angel Reese’s will be crucial in shaping its future.
