*Following news that LeBron James signed a Lakers contract reportedly worth $154 million, Aces stars A’ja Wilson and Kayla McBride took to Twitter on Sunday to campaign for financial equality among genders in professional sports.
Said Wilson: “154M ……….. must. be. nice. We over here looking for a M but Lord, let me get back in my lane”.
154M ……….. must. be. nice. We over here looking for a M ? but Lord, let me get back in my lane pic.twitter.com/IFDZLlI53z
— A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) July 2, 2018
Added McBride: “I don’t wanna hear anything or anyone who doesn’t walk in my shoes every day talking about salary in the WNBA. We deserve more. Period. If you don’t like it. Or watch it. Or whatever. Stay in your lane homie because you not out here hoopin every night. Like I Am.”
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WNBA salaries are capped at $110,000, per CNBC, whereas veteran NBA players in 2017-18 — including rookies — made a minimum of $815,000, per the Review-Journal.
Wilson believes the 144 players in the WNBA are underpaid.
“I wasn’t even talking about just in sports. I think it’s across the board. Women are underpaid,” Wilson said after practice Tuesday afternoon at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion. “We’re out here working just as hard as it is. It’s one of those funky things where you can’t really pinpoint ‘This is what you need to do.’ You can’t say work harder.
You can’t say dunk. You can’t really pinpoint it. We come in to work every day with a great mindset that we’re going to tackle this thing. No matter how much we get paid. We love what we do.”
Aces coach Bill Laimbeer has worked in the WNBA for nearly 16 years and said increased attendance and sponsorship could lead to an increase in pay for players.
“It’s a somewhat mature product that’s getting better everyday,” Laimbeer said. “I think we just need to work harder across the board. Franchises need to work harder.”
McBride said it’s going to take time for WNBA players to receive better pay.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily anything the WNBA is doing or not doing,” she said after practice Tuesday. “I understand the supply and demand of the entertainment business that we are in. It’s just crazy how little people know about our league and players.
“The whole marginalization thing is whatever. I’m OK with being a trailblazer for the kids coming. … I play basketball because I love it.”
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