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The disparity in salaries between WNBA and NBA rookies has been a point of contention among sports fans, particularly when comparing the earnings of top draft picks. Caitlin Clark, the first overall pick in the WNBA, is set to earn a starting salary of $76,535, while Victor Wembanyama, her NBA counterpart, is projected to earn $10,133,900 in his first year. When expressed as a fraction, Clark's salary is approximately 1/132 of Wembanyama's, or less than 0.76%.
Adding to this, Victor Wembanyama's earnings per game in the NBA starkly contrast with Caitlin Clark's annual WNBA salary. Wembanyama's salary for the 2023-24 NBA season is $12,160,680, and with 82 regular-season games, his earnings per game amount to approximately $148,300. In comparison, Clark's entire first-year salary is $76,535. This means Wembanyama earns almost twice as much in a single game as Clark does in her entire first year, highlighting a pay gap where Wembanyama's per-game earnings are about 194% of Clark's annual salary.
This stark contrast is further highlighted when considering the leagues' revenues. The WNBA is estimated to generate around $60 million in revenue, with approximately $12.3 million distributed to its players. In comparison, the NBA's revenue is a colossal $10 billion, a staggering 166 times greater than that of the WNBA. When comparing the share of revenue allocated to players, WNBA players receive about 20.5% of the league's revenue, while NBA players receive a share that is not publicly disclosed but is known to be significantly higher.
The outrage among fans stems from the belief that the salary gap does not reflect the talent and dedication of WNBA players. While the revenue generated by each league plays a significant role in determining salaries, many argue for a more equitable pay structure that recognizes the professional achievements and contributions of female athletes.
Kelsey Plum, a WNBA champion, has articulated this sentiment by stating, "I'm tired of people thinking that (we) players are asking for the same type of money as NBA players ... we are asking for the same percentage of revenue shared within our CBA. NBA players receive around 50% of shared revenue within their league, whereas we receive around 20%."
As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, with rising TV viewership and attendance, the hope is that the league's financial success will translate into better compensation for its players.
