Why many WNBA players leave the U.S. to supplement their incomes

The news that hoops sensation Caitlin Clark will gain a guidelines net of $76,535 successful her first twelvemonth successful nan pros has shed ray connected why dozens of WNBA players recreation overseas successful nan offseason to supplement their incomes.

Clark became nan look of assemblage hoops this play arsenic viewers tuned successful to nationally televised University of Iowa games to witnesser her stunning three-point shots and Steph Curry-like game, shattering spectator records.

After her action arsenic nan No. 1 wide draught prime by nan Indiana Fever this week, galore assumed her wide fame and accomplishment group would lead to a multiyear statement worthy millions.

That didn't hap for a assortment of reasons, mostly having to do pinch nan WNBA's broadcast deal. Clark will make astir of her money disconnected nan court.

WNBA players gain only a fraction of what their antheral counterparts cod from nan NBA, prompting galore female players to recreation to Europe and different basketball-obsessed locations astir nan globe for a chance to gain a heftier payday.

Although nan reasons why overseas leagues tin spend higher salaries than nan WNBA vary, nan overseas teams are not constricted by net caps, for illustration those successful nan U.S., and galore are owned by billionaires who tin walk arsenic overmuch arsenic they want connected players.

Perhaps nan astir celebrated illustration of a subordinate going overseas was Brittany Griner's travel to Moscow successful 2022. The all-star Phoenix Mercury halfway was detained successful Russia after customs agents said they discovered cartridges containing hashish lipid successful her luggage.

Griner was sentenced to 9 years successful situation but was released successful a high-profile prisoner switch with nan U.S. aft 294 days. Up until then, Russia had been a apical destination for WNBA athletes successful nan offseason, pinch immoderate earning salaries of complete $1 million.

“The full logic a batch of america spell [overseas] is nan salary game," Griner told Just Women’s Sports past year. "A batch of america spell complete location to make an income to support our families, to support ourselves. So I don’t sound immoderate subordinate that wants to spell overseas.”

Reasons for nan wide salary disparity betwixt nan WNBA and nan NBA are many, but basically, nan women's convention generates acold little money. That's reflected successful its TV authorities deal, which is worthy $65 cardinal versus nan NBA's $2.8 cardinal contract. It besides plays 42 less games a play than nan NBA.

In galore cases, a WNBA subordinate tin gain 3 to 4 times her guidelines net by playing overseas erstwhile nan four-month U.S. play ends.

Historically, galore WNBA players find that other income attractive, said Ketra Armstrong, a professor of athletics guidance and nan head of nan Center for Race & Ethnicity successful Sport astatine nan University of Michigan.

"We person nan champion hoops players successful nan world," Armstrong said. "And they (other countries) show them really overmuch they’re weighted by giving them lucrative salaries.”

Under nan league’s collective bargaining agreement, Clark’s four-year statement will salary her $76,535 during her first season. That salary will summation incrementally to $97,582 successful her last year.

By comparison, Victor Wembanyama, nan No. 1 wide prime successful past year’s NBA draft, signed a four-year, $55 cardinal statement for which he’ll pouch $12.1 cardinal this season, according to statement locator Spotrac.

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association, nan WNBA players' union, could not beryllium reached for comment, and its NBA counterpart, nan National Basketball Players Association, declined to remark connected nan salary disparity.

The WNBA has said Clark will person much than $3 cardinal successful endorsements and partnerships. She besides was reportedly in talks to motion an eight-figure endorsement woody pinch Nike that would see a signature footwear line.

But not each WNBA subordinate will beryllium arsenic fortunate.

“It should travel arsenic nary astonishment that there’s specified a immense spread betwixt nan NBA and WNBA,” said Rob Parker, a nationally syndicated power big for Fox Sports and a sports media professor astatine nan University of Southern California.

He said fans person not wholeheartedly supported nan WNBA since its inception astir 30 years ago.

“The attendance is low. The tv ratings are low. So it’s nary shocker that there’s nary money location for nan women,” Parker said.

Typically, erstwhile athletes spell overseas, they compete against different Americans and overseas players for convention championships.

Many players successful caller years person besides opted to enactment successful nan U.S. successful nan offseason to return advantage of caller financial opportunities successful broadcasting, coaching and trading ventures, experts said.

Some said WNBA players could gain higher salaries successful coming years if nan convention is capable to capitalize connected nan nation's newfound activity of enthusiasm for women's basketball.

The WNBA’s tv authorities woody expires aft nan 2025 season, and a sustained uptick successful viewership could beryllium utilized arsenic a bargaining chip, Armstrong said.

“The caller players coming into nan WNBA coupled pinch nan existent stars of nan convention whitethorn beryllium nan catalyst nan WNBA needs for much finance and amended tv rights,” Armstrong said.

She said immoderate teams are already seeing income spikes successful tickets and jerseys.

“There’s been a melodramatic surge successful assemblage hoops and interest, and I do judge immoderate of nan traction will transportation complete into nan WNBA,” she said.

Parker said he doesn't deliberation Clark tin single-handedly move nan WNBA into a ratings juggernaut.

“Caitlin Clark to maine will beryllium for illustration nan Harlem Globetrotters," he said. "When she shows up to town, group will travel to spot her. But I’m not truthful judge that group will travel to nan WNBA erstwhile she’s not involved.”