he So-Called “Gender Pay Gap” in the WNBA 

Sexist and Unjust?

There is a huge difference in player compensation between the NBA and the WNBA.

The average salary in the NBA is about $11 million vs. $110,000 in the WNBA. The highest paid WNBA players will bring in about $300,000, counting bonuses. The minimum NBA salary is $1 million. The minimum WNBA salary is $66,000. As for the highest paid players? The top three WNBA players average around $300,000 a year, including bonuses. The top three NBA players make 100 to 200 times that much.

However… 

There are good, economic reasons for this. For example:

Revenue Disparity. The most significant factor is that the NBA generates vastly more revenue through higher ticket sales, broadcasting rights, and merchandise.

Revenue Sharing. Unlike the NBA, WNBA salaries have not been directly tied to revenue sharing. The NBA is contractually obligated to give 50% of its net proceeds to its players, while WNBA players have no such guarantee and receive only about 10% of the net.

Revenues and Profitability: As I said, there are several good reasons for that disparity. Firstly, the NBA makes much, much, much more money. Their revenues last year exceeded $11 billion. The WNBA, on the other hand, made only $200 million last year, and that was considerably higher than it has made in the past – in part because it never had a big following and big media attention until Caitlin Clark was drafted.