They play the same sport at the same level in the same country. They support each other and both play their hearts out. They’re role models for countless people worldwide, including East students. The reality is, they are two different genders getting drastically different salaries. This is a reality for WNBA players.
“I’ve been involved in sports since I was young… seeing other athletes not getting fair treatment and their pay being so different is stupid,” sophomore and athlete McKenna Dolphin said.
The NBA and WNBA are both big and successful basketball associations. The NBA is so successful that it’s average income for its players is $7.7 million and water boys in the NBA can make as much as $110,000. But the WNBA’s current highest income is $127,500 and the average pay being $79,000.
“It’s unfair that they get different pay because they shouldn’t be treated differently because of their gender,” senior and athlete Shannon Merrett said.
Many NBA players also think it is unfair that the WNBA players earn so much less. WNBA players are growing tired of the drastic difference in pay and feel as if they have to fight to get a higher pay. Once the WNBA season has ended players can travel overseas and play for other countries in their national team. Many players can earn up to a million dollars playing overseas. This causes WNBA players to be frustrated that their WNBA income and overseas income are so different.
“I don’t like seeing income inequality in general, I think it’s a huge problem in society,” Mr. Core said on the difference between WNBA and NBA incomes.
There are many different opinions on the difference between WNBA and NBA incomes. I decided to interview former high school basketball coach and current administrator at East High School, Mr. Core. He said that the incomes between the two associations are so different because of the ticket sales and social media. He also said that not many people are addressing the income inequality which is symptomatic.
“It’s obscene,” Core said.
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