"Players, thanks to their union's fight for a new collective bargaining agreement, have seen their paychecks begin to reflect this growth with massive raises to both the minimum and maximum salaries. For a league that sports podcast bros discussed only as a sexist punchline, the WNBA's ascent is a satisfying counterpunch to every asshole who mocked these incredible athletes."
2020 felt distant despite being six years earlier, marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and major Black Lives Matter demonstrations after George Floyd’s death. Women’s basketball players and coaches had long used their platform to protest police violence and racial injustice, including actions around national anthem protests and support for political candidates. Maya Moore retired early in 2023 to address racial injustices in the criminal justice system, while other players took time off to join broader efforts. The WNBA has since changed dramatically, with ratings increasing, franchise values rising, and packed home games. The Golden State Valkyries became the first women’s team in any sport to surpass a $1 billion valuation, and collective bargaining gains have produced major salary increases.
#wnba #racial-justice-activism #player-salaries-and-collective-bargaining #sports-business-growth #black-lives-matter
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