As an old school baller I have to admit that it makes my heart happy to finally see the WNBA getting some attention. There have been a long line of female Basketball athletes who have laid the foundation for the success that the ladies are enjoying today, but, until recently, the women’s professional game has just plain failed to produce the hype…or the salaries…of the men’s game.
But there just seems to be something about this new class that draws the eye. Not that this new class of draftees don’t come with a laundry list of accolades, but a handful just seem to have that “it factor”. Whatever that means.
Before we get into that, let’s talk about the league itself. Here’s a few fun facts you may or may not know. While we are at it, let’s do a little comparing between the women and the men:
| National Basketball Association | Women’s National Basketball Association |
| Founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America before merging with the National Basketball League in 1949 to become the NBA league we know today | Founded in 1996 as the female counterpart to the National Basketball Association. League Actually began in 1997 |
| 30 Teams across the USA and Canada | 12 Teams across the USA |
| 2023 Finals Viewership: 11.6 million | 2023 Finals Viewership: 728,000 |
| 2023: 560 Paid Players | 2023: 144 Paid Players |
| Roster: Minimum 13 Players | Roster: Maximum 12 Players |
| Average Season: 82 Games | Average Season: 36 Games |
| 2023 Highest Paid Player: Steph Curry
Salary: $51.9 million annually |
2023 Highest Paid Player: Erica Wheeler
Salary: $242,000.00 annually |
| 2023 Average Salary: $10 million annually (121,951.00 per game) | 2023 Average Salary: $116,000.00 ($3,222.00 per game) |
| 2023 Annual Revenue: $10.58 billion (increase from $10 billion in 2022) | 2023 Annual Revenue: $200 million (increase from $60 million in 2022) 233% increase |
| Players receive a 50-50 split of “basketball related revenues” like broadcast monies and swag sales with team owners | Held under a Collective Bargaining Agreement that handcuffs salaries and additional earnings – though they will have the ability to opt-out of the CBA after the 2024 WNBA season |
| Currently owns 50% of the WNBA | Receives an annual endowment of $15 million to help cover various operating costs for WNBA teams, including facilities, travel, marketing, and administration |
| Broadcast and Streaming: ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV, NBA League Pass and RSN | Broadcast and Streaming: ESPN platforms (25 games, including nine on ABC, 14 on ESPN and two on ESPN2), CBS Television Network/Paramount+ (eight), CBS Sports Network (12), ION (43), NBA TV (40) and Prime Video (21) |
I’m no fool when it comes to the popularity of the Men’s game vs the Women’s game, I mean…I don’t live under a rock. So when I share these facts and stats I’m not saying that the women are getting a raw deal. What I see when I look at this information is a crap ton of growth in the popularity of and access to the women’s game. And I’m here for it!
I also see that the WNBA walked itself into a crap Collective Bargaining Agreement several years ago that crippled the financial growth of its players, but that may have been the best decision at the time. I definitely don’t claim to be a financial advisor or to be a math-er at any level to begin with.
But let’s talk about the current women’s game. Why? Because this 2024 draft class is getting ALL the attention and I am happy to grab my popcorn and watch. For the first time in a long time the first round of draft picks is smattered with names that have been in your social media news feed all year long. Do you remember the last time that happened? Because I sure don’t. And I still consider myself a “student of the game”.
This burst of popularity is specifically, in my opinion, thanks to a handful of women who seized the spotlight and don’t seem to want to let it go. So let’s give them a little attention here. My top 3 from the WNBA draft are the women who are actively keeping me engaged in what’s going on in the world of women’s basketball. Admittedly, I love the tea, as the saying goes, but their games are on point and they are just dang fun to watch.
- Caitlin Clark – the #1 draft pick by the Indiana Fever, Guard from Iowa
- Aaliyah Edwards – the #6 draft pick by the Washington Mystics, Forward from UConn
- Angel Reese – the #7 draft pick by the Chicago Sky, Forward from LSU
If you haven’t followed these athletes or taken time to catch a game I highly suggest that you take the time and give it a look. Especially if you have athlete daughters. Just a warning though: these games are highly competitive, high energy, and the trash talk is definitely a thing. Just as the Lord intended it. So don’t say I didn’t warn you. Be prepared to get addicted…and we will welcome you to the fold with open arms!
Here’s the real gist though, back to you parents who have daughters of any age aspiring to be athletes. It’s an amazing time to be a girl in sport. We have come so far, traversed so much adversity (especially in the last year or so). These gals are standing on the shoulders of those who came before them to forge a new path where this sport is not just “a game for girls equality” but an event. I couldn’t be more proud and excited. Even just a few (or so) years ago when I completed my college career the prospects for anything other than going to play overseas were dismal, this is exciting. How cool is it to see our daughters, sisters, cousins, friends walking around in Clark and Reese jerseys instead of sporting some NBA jerseys because dudes were the only role models they had?
Hide your aprons, fellas, because the ladies are on the move and it’s an exciting time to be a “girl in sport”. I know there are way more women in so many different sports who have also contributed to this incredible growth, so don’t worry…we will be sure to discuss them too! If you have some favorites I would love to hear them. Drop me a comment, you know I’m checking to see what you guys have to say!
Until next week…that’s the way the ball bounces!
Read more from How the Ball Bounces with Bekka in the archives at www.mysaline.com/bounces.
About the author: Bekka Wilkerson is a lifelong lover of all things sports. Raised in a super athletic household it was no surprise when she too began to love sports at a young age. It seems like from the time she could walk she had a softball bat in her hands, but her true athletic passion came from all things Basketball. That love served her well as a Bryant High School Lady Hornet and ultimately earned her a full scholarship to play at the University of Central Arkansas – among many other adventures.
These days Bekka can be found running around Saline County with her husband, Speedy, or chasing one of her grandsons. She is also the Executive Director of The EMpact One Foundation, a Saline County Nonprofit Organization that helps young people stay connected to extracurricular activities through tuition assistance and equipment provisions.
Reach out to Bekka with questions and/or ideas about things you want to see in this column at [email protected] and learn more about The EMpact One Foundation at www.empactone.org.