The debate over the stark difference in pay between NBA and WNBA players has been ongoing for decades. However, in recent times, it has gained traction, thanks to the burgeoning popularity of the women’s side of the sport and detailed comments from some of the league’s best players, notably Napheesa Collier.
After the situation had quietened a bit, NBA commissioner Adam Silver voiced his thoughts on the matter, describing the situation as one where the WNBA players were set to greatly benefit from the new collective bargaining agreement.
However, his words did not sit well with the league, as the executive director of the WNBPA ripped into Silver for his comments, showcasing the reality of the situation at hand.
Is Adam Silver Wrong About the WNBA?
When Silver was asked about the situation, he made it clear that he didn’t believe a “share” based revenue system was a sustainable choice for the WNBA. Instead, he pointed to the raw numbers as an indication that something different was necessary.
“I think share isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA. You should look at it in absolute numbers in terms of what they are making. They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining, and they deserve it.”
Unfortunately, his comments led to an incendiary response from the players in the WNBA. Their cavalry was led by Terri Carmichael Jackson, who lashed out at Silver’s comments and revealed how starkly different the reality of the situation was.
Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post broke down her full comments on X. The anger for Jackson stemmed from a singular root cause, they why the players opted out of the collective bargaining agreement.
“When the players opted out a year ago, they made it clear they wanted a salary system that values their labor and allows them to grow with the business they are very clearly driving.”
The WNBA apparently made a proposal to the players’ association promising an “uncapped” revenue that would be directly tied to the performance of the league in various metrics. However, for Jackson, that seems like a fancy way of trying to bring back the same system.
In far more colorful language, she stated, “The league’s response has been to run out the clock, put lipstick on a pig, and retread a system that isn’t tied to any part of the business and intentionally undervalues the players.”
For the “uncapped” proposal, she further added, “The fact that the league now wants to call any part of its proposal ‘uncapped’ is precisely why its leadership, transparency, and accountability are being challenged right now.”
Instead, she believed the reasoning was far more devious, by claiming it was an “artificial” system that wouldn’t be tied to the business “in any real or meaningful way.” Ultimately, though, her ire landed on the words that Silver had echoed.
“Adam Silver said it himself on behalf of the WNBA. ‘Share isn’t the word.’ It’s not in their vocabulary.” With more meetings scheduled until we reach the official Oct. 31 deadline, it’ll be interesting to see how this situation plays out.
But the players of the league have presented a wholly united front throughout these proceedings, taking the offensive against ownership and management. It remains to be seen how their efforts finally pay off. However, it should bring a radical change to the WNBA as we know it, one way or another.