The WNBA Players Are Overworked & Underpaid: A Tale as Old as Time

Disparity in pay between the WNBA and NBA has been problematic since the inception of the league in 1996. As the league continues to gain more visibility, players have not shied away from very public pay equity discussions. Keep in mind player activism is not a new concept to the WNBA. These women are competitors on the court, but off the court they have historically taken collective stands against racial injustice and gender inequality in sports. With the league’s recent popularity surge, pay disparity continues to be an ongoing point of focus. 

Last year, almost a year ago to date, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBAPA) made the decision to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA). It’s obvious why that was a collective decision— the growth of the league should reflect in the salaries and working conditions of its players. These women are professional athletes who often cannot afford an offseason because their WNBA salaries are so low that they must play year-round to supplement their income. These women use their bodies to make a living so the inability to prioritize rest and recovery in the offseason is a threat to the longevity of their careers. Kelsey Mitchell’s legs literally gave out during the semi finals.

Photo by @Brian_Haenchen via Indy Star

These women are giving their all to this game, literally pushing their bodies to the limit like true professional athletes. It is past time for the league to do right by them. 

While the league says it can’t afford higher salaries, the unprecedented growth, increased media exposure, and record-breaking attendance says otherwise. Players have publicly shared that the new offers made by the league have been quite insulting. 

Patriarchy’s Influence On The Gender Pay Gap & Working Conditions

Napheesa Collier, Vice President of WNBAPA, publicly shared her frustrations and concerns in a recent exit interview about Cathy Englebert’s leadership. Phee used words like “dismissive” and “control and power” as she directly challenged the commissioner. Those words could have been used strategically given the link between dismissiveness and patriarchy. Fining women for speaking up and out is an exercise of power and control. Power and control are tools of patriarchy, these tools play a significant role in the wage gap between the WNBA and NBA. 

Cassie "Coach C" Chantel breaks down why Collier’s statements are bigger than officiating, how the league has handled fines and criticism, what Engelbert’s response really means, historical lessons from NBA labor battles, and why player unity is non-negotiable moving forward.

Patriarchal systems suppress women’s voices and dismiss their concerns, leading to women having less negotiating power, and accepting lower salaries. Patriarchal norms center male sports over female sports as evident by the investment disparity between the two leagues. For example, poor working conditions such as navigating a demanding game schedule using commercial flights and having subpar practice facilities are not concerns for the men who play in the NBA. The league is contributing to a society that upholds patriarchy and diminishes the value of women. 

Cathy Engelbert is an example of women who uphold patriarchy and adopt a misogynistic ideology masked as doing good business; thinking it will get her a seat at the table with the good ol' boys. The internalized misogyny will not secure a seat at the table, in fact the good ol' boys will most likely throw her under the bus. 

Currently, negotiations between the WNBAPA and the league, represented by Commissioner Cathy Englebert, are stalled. If an agreement is not reached by the end of this month, there could be a lockout next season. The players have collectively decided that they know their worth and they’re going to stand on business about it.