Runcie, David Streeter, "The Gender Wage Gap in Sports: Explaining the Pay Gap in Sports" (2019). Senior Projects Spring 2019. 243. https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/senproj_s2019/243.
The NBA has a significantly higher salary cap and the pay disparity compared to the WNBA players is vast, making the offer from the NBA overwhelmingly larger. Although the highest-salary WNBA player only makes $115,000, while the highest-earning male NBA players exceed over $30 million a year. The average basketball player's salary in the NBA is over $7 million in 2018, while the WNBA loan slips below $77,878 on average. Along with this, the difference in salary also reflects in bonuses and incentives. In the WNBA, it offers $15,000 bonuses to the Most Valuable Player and $5,000 bonuses to the Rookie of the Year. On the other end of the spectrum, 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook made $28.5 million. The salaries of the NBA players even waived by their team are pretty good enough, like Leandro Barbosa in 2017 still making $500,000, just over five times the salary of even Sylvia Fowles, which was $109,000.
The research article has so much evidence that can be useful when cited in our research. It helps make sense that salary differences are the reason many WNBA players play in European leagues for additional money, where they get paid more than in America. It highlights the economic disparity that the continued compensation structure of the WNBA flees these individuals and the plight of WNBA players that deserve an equitable monetary grievance. The NBA salary cap has increased steadily for a while now, with the result a financial landscape for professional basketball players that is unfathomable to anyone who play basketball in a previous era. That jump has resulted due to mega-deals for stars such as Stephen Curry ($201 million over five years) and James Harden (a four-year, $228 million extension). Instead, the WNBA has experienced a failure to launch with player earnings and a stagnant salary cap which again highlights the chasm.
DiCicco, Hailey, "Hoop Dreams: An Empirical Analysis of the Gender Wage Gap in Professional Basketball" (2020). Business and Economics Summer Fellows. 8. https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/bus_econ_sum/8.
US Women's Soccer team win fourth World Cup sparking lawsuit in 2019 over gender pay disparity. During the court case, the women argued that they collectively earned more and per game than the men. The women argued that their pay should be higher if the men's pay formula was applied to them, based on their greater achievements.
This situation mirrors the pay disparity in professional basketball, specifically between the WNBA and the NBA. Despite the WNBA being partly owned by NBA team owners, the league struggles with lower fan engagement, TV deals, and ticket sales, generating only $50-70 million in revenue compared to the NBA's billions. This revenue gap results in a massive salary difference. In 2017: WNBA top was 2.18% of revenue, NBA minimum was 3.2% of revenue. This discrepancy points to the lack of bargaining power that the WNBA players possess.
More recent attempts to address the problem came in January with a renegotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the WNBA, which added the possibility of higher salaries and improved conditions - depending on greater revenue and viewership, of course - for its women hoopsters. While these constitute progress, WNBA players remain woefully uncompensated, with 20% of the earnings going to salaries, compared to the 50% the NBA pays to its players. This would allow our narrative, with the quantitative support that the article can provide, to have a portion in the presentation and add depth to that area.
Kleen, Brendon. “The WNBA’s Future Can Be Seen in the NBA’s Past.” Global Sport Matters, 16 June 2023, https://globalsportmatters.com/business/2023/06/16/wnba-future-seen-nba-past/.
The NBA's expansion and development over time can serve as a model for the WNBA's success, claims David Berri's article "The WNBA's Future Can Be Seen in the NBA's Past". Applying this idea, a study examining the earnings, stats, and college backgrounds of NBA and WNBA players can learn a lot from the league's past. The WNBA can replicate the NBA's income-boosting techniques, such as ticket sales, sponsorships, and item sales, to improve its own earnings. Furthermore, the WNBA's own efforts to advance competitive balance can benefit from an examination of how the NBA has done so in spite of issues like salary limitations and free agency.
This research can provide insight into patterns and relationships between pay, stats, and college beginnings and success in both leagues by looking at data on these variables. For example, comparing median earnings by position and average salaries for players in the NBA and WNBA might highlight disparities between the two leagues. Correlations between success and numerous statistical categories, including as points per game and rebounds per game for NBA and WNBA players by position, can be found by analyzing these data. Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether certain college programs produce more successful WNBA players by recording the colleges attended by WNBA players and correlating this data to their performance in the league. This study can shed important light on the WNBA's future trajectory by addressing issues such as how salaries differ between leagues, if certain numbers are associated with success, and whether college programs create elite athletes. Through the application of Berri's historical lessons from the NBA to this analysis, this endeavor can provide useful suggestions for fostering development and achievement within the WNBA.
The Path from the NCAA to the WNBA | Misogyny in Sports: Female Representation in NCAA Basketball. https://sites.middlebury.edu/wmarchmadness/the-ncaa-to-the-wnba/. Accessed 18 June 2024.
The glaring differences in women's basketball, from coaching pay to player chances, which depict a system that fosters misogyny, really stand out to me as I research the WNBA's future. Women's basketball coaches at the university level make a lot less money than their male counterparts. Bonnie Hendrickson, the head coach of the University of Kansas women's basketball team, makes $505,000, while men's coach Bill Self makes $5 million. This disparity stems from the fact that men's college basketball is more profitable than women's, and this is an important factor to take into account as we look at the ways the WNBA may boost earnings and foster expansion.
Our project can provide light on trends and correlations between these criteria and success in both leagues by evaluating data on salary, stats, and college origins. For example, comparing median earnings by position and average salaries for players in the NBA and WNBA might highlight disparities between the two leagues. Additionally, links between college programs and success in the WNBA can be found by tracking the colleges attended by WNBA players and correlating this information to their league performance. Finding creative ways to promote women's basketball and close this imbalance is especially important in light of the NCAA's income allocation during March Madness, which benefits men's teams over women's teams despite women's games drawing large viewership and ad revenue. Through the application of these lessons to our research of the WNBA, our project is able to offer significant insights into the league's future trajectory and suggest tactics for advancing equality and growth in women's basketball.
Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Collective Bargaining Agreement. WNBA, 2020.
https://wnbpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/WNBA-WNBPA-CBA-2020-2027.pdf
This document is the official collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), spanning from 2020 to 2027. It outlines comprehensive terms regarding player contracts, salaries, benefits, free agency rules, and other employment conditions. Key elements include salary caps, minimum and maximum salaries, health and insurance benefits, and conditions for free agency and player conduct. This agreement is significant for its focus on improving conditions for female athletes, such as increased salaries, better travel conditions, and provisions for maternity and childcare.
This CBA is pivotal for understanding the professional landscape and contractual dynamics of women's basketball in the U.S. It represents a significant step in advocating for gender equity in sports through structured negotiations and formal agreements. The detailed provisions for player welfare, financial terms, and career security make this CBA a crucial resource for research in sports management, labor relations, and gender studies within sports. The CBA provides a template for negotiations in women's sports leagues and insights into the evolving professional standards aimed at addressing historical disparities in sports.
Baker, Elle. A Comparison of NBA and WNBA Player Salaries. 2019-2020 Undergraduate Research Fellow.
https://www.kennesaw.edu/coles/centers/markets-economic-opportunity/docs/baker-elle.pdf
Elle Baker's research paper provides a comprehensive analysis of salary discrepancies between the NBA and WNBA, highlighting both intra-league and inter-league economic disparities. Utilizing data from Spotrac.com, Baker presents the Gini coefficients to discuss inequality within each league, revealing that the NBA exhibits greater salary disparity compared to the more equitably distributed WNBA salaries. The paper employs methodological rigor by gathering extensive player salary data for both leagues for the 2019-2020 season, supporting its findings with Lorenz curves and detailed statistical analysis.
This paper is an invaluable asset for exploring issues of gender and economic inequality in professional sports. It is backed by rigorous data analysis and offers insights into the factors influencing salary structures, making it a credible resource for academic research in economics, gender studies, and sports management. Baker's discussion extends beyond mere statistics to consider broader socio-economic implications, such as the impact of media rights and viewership on salary discrepancies. The paper also offers a well-rounded analytical perspective. It not only provides a snapshot of current salary inequalities but also invites reflection on their deeper societal and economic causes.
Adesiyan, Blessing. “A Game of Unequals: The WNBA Pay Gap and the Undervaluation of Women’s Labor.” The Care Gap by Blessing Adesiyan, 18 Apr. 2024, https://thecaregap.substack.com/p/a-game-of-unequals-the-wnba-pay-gap.
Adesiyan’s article explores the profound wage gap between the WNBA and NBA. She begins by contrasting the salaries of recent top draft picks Caitlin Clark and Victor Wembanyama. Clark’ salary will earn her about $338 thousand over the span of the next four years while Wembanyama will earn over $55 million (over 163 times more). The author argues that this gap not only underscores economic inequality in sports but also reflects a much larger societal issue regarding the undervaluation of women’s labor. She holds that this wage disparity is deeply rooted in gender biases ingrained across all aspects of society, influencing media coverage, sponsorship opportunities, and cultural perceptions of women’s roles. Women’s sports receive much less investment and support in comparison to men’s sports which leads to a cycle where limited visibility and lower financial incentives further marginalize women athletes.
Furthermore, Adesiyan critiques the historical norms and stereotypes about women’s capabilities which greatly influence public perception and economic decisions regarding women’s sports. She calls for systemic changes such as equitable revenue-sharing models and enhanced media coverage in order to address these issues. The article also brings up an interesting point about the pivotal role that public figures and male athletes like Steph Curry and LeBron James have played in challenging these stereotypes about women’s sports.
In conclusion, Adesiyan holds that since these wage disparities are intertwined with the broader struggle for gender equity. Therefore, she calls for people to address these disparities through a combination of policy changes, increased visibility, and public advocacy, and by doing so we can hope that one day the value of an athlete’s contribution will not be determined by their gender but by their skill and impact on the sport.
Ament, Melissa (2017) "The Gender Pay Gap in College Basketball: Is Discrimination the Driving Factor?," Major Themes in Economics, 19, 57-75, https://scholarworks.uni.edu/mtie/vol19/iss1/6.
Ament systematically analyzes the factors that contribute to wage disparities between men’s and women’s head coaches in NCAA Division I basketball. The central theme of the paper revolves around whether gender discrimination plays a significant role in these wage disparities or if other factors can explain these differences. I found the paper particularly interesting because it highlights the fact that these gender wage disparities are not exclusive to one industry and can be seen across various facets of society.
Ament begins by highlighting the fact that no women’s basketball head coach at the college Division I level earns a higher salary than their male counterpart at the same institution, despite the fact that many have better records and achievements. She then cites older studies that surveyed coaches from 2003 to 2010, underscoring a persistent gender disparity.
The author highlights another critical aspect concerning coaches' contracts, the influence of third-party money and additional performance incentives that often favor men’s coaches, therefore bypassing equal pay regulations under the Equal Pay Act. She argues that this loophole reinforces gender-based pay discrepancies because it allows men’s coaches to ask for higher compensation for minor additional duties.
Ament also critiques the unequal distribution of revenue-generating opportunities between men’s and women’s basketball programs, further exacerbating salary disparities. She argues that historical disparities in media coverage, fan attendance, and institutional support have led to an environment where men’s coaches are positioned to command higher salaries due to their programs’ higher revenue potential. She holds that these economic factors, rather than explicit gender discrimination, are primary drivers of the pay gap.
In conclusion, while Ament acknowledges the disparities in compensation between men’s and women’s head coaches, she challenges the view that gender discrimination alone dictates these differences. Instead, she calls for a more nuanced approach that considers various factors such as revenue generation, contractual structures, and historical support for men’s sports and perhaps how these factors interplay with discrimination to lead to this wage gap.
Agha, N. & Berri, D. (2021). Gender differences in the pay of professional basketball players. In A. Bowes & A. Culvin (Eds.) The professionalisation of women’s sport. Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 53-70. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80043-196-620211004
Agha and Berri (2021) explore the significant wage gap between NBA and WNBA players, highlighting the historical and societal factors that have perpetuated this disparity. The NBA, established in 1946, had a considerable head start compared to the WNBA, which began in 1997. This head start is crucial because it allowed the NBA to build a robust infrastructure, fan base, and revenue streams over five decades before the WNBA even existed. Women's professional basketball faced significant societal challenges, such as the perception that the sport was too masculine and institutional barriers that limited opportunities and funding. This historical context is essential in understanding why, despite similar levels of skill and dedication, WNBA players earn a fraction of what their male counterparts do.
The pay disparity is stark: in 2019, the average NBA salary was $6.2 million, while the average WNBA salary was less than $80,000. This difference cannot be explained solely by differences in league revenue. The NBA generates over $8 billion annually, compared to the WNBA's estimated $60 million. This revenue disparity is partly due to the NBA's longer history and greater public and private investment. Moreover, the NBA benefits from extensive media coverage, which men's sports typically receive, thus driving higher revenues and player salaries. The WNBA, despite comparable attendance figures at similar points in their histories and better television ratings than some men's sports leagues, does not receive proportional media coverage or investment, perpetuating the wage gap.
Why Is The Michael Jordan Of The WNBA Paid Less Than Adonis Jordan In 1999?
WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi's remarkable career includes four Olympic gold medals, nine league championships, and the title of the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history. Despite these accolades, Taurasi's 2018 salary was only $115,233, starkly contrasted with Michael Jordan's rookie salary of $550,000 in 1984-85. Even more startling is the comparison to Adonis Jordan, a relatively unproductive NBA player who earned $350,000 in 1999 for minimal court time. This disparity highlights a broader issue in professional basketball: the gender wage gap.
The primary reasons for this gap are the differences in league revenues and how those revenues are shared. The NBA generated $7.368 billion in revenue for the 2016-17 season, while WNBA revenue is much lower, estimated to be at least $52.4 million. This lower revenue is partly due to less media coverage and investment in women's sports. For instance, ESPN broadcast only 13 of the 204 regular-season WNBA games in 2018, all on ESPN2, with inconsistent scheduling that makes it harder for the league to attract a steady television audience. Additionally, WNBA players receive a smaller percentage of league revenue compared to NBA players. The NBA's collective bargaining agreement ensures players receive about 50% of basketball-related income, whereas WNBA players receive significantly less. In 2018, the average WNBA salary was $75,931, totaling around $11.4 million for all players, which is only 21.7% of the known league revenue. If WNBA players received a similar revenue share to NBA players and were paid based on their performance, top players like Taurasi would earn much higher salaries, potentially around $737,129.
The article underscores that the revenue and pay disparities are not due to the quality of the players or the product the WNBA produces, but rather the historical and ongoing advantages the NBA has enjoyed, including substantial taxpayer subsidies and extensive free media coverage. This context is crucial in understanding why top WNBA players are paid significantly less than their male counterparts, despite their comparable skills and contributions to the sport.
https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/pepds19&id=178&collection=journals&index= HeinOnline. "WNBA Formation and Operations." HeinOnline,
The article provides a comprehensive history of the formation of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and its relationship with the National Basketball Association (NBA). It details the operational structure of the WNBA, highlighting its significant achievements, such as changing the playoff format to not be confined to the East versus West bracket. The article notes the increasing market interest in women's basketball, evidenced by higher viewership for NCAA championships compared to average Major League Baseball (MLB) games. Additionally, it discusses the expansion of the league with new teams like the Las Vegas Aces and highlights how WNBA teams receive a smaller portion of branding sponsorship money compared to the NBA. A critical point made is the disparity in revenue sharing: WNBA players' total payroll constitutes 20% of the league's revenue, whereas NBA players' payroll accounts for 50%.
This text effectively outlines the revenue systems of the WNBA and NBA, pointing out the discrepancies in how players earn their share. It emphasizes the additional financial pressures faced by WNBA players, who often play abroad to supplement their income, a situation NBA players typically do not encounter. The author maintains objectivity throughout the article, presenting a balanced view supported by factual evidence rather than personal opinion.
The article is highly relevant to our project as it provides a detailed analysis of the revenue-sharing structures of both leagues, which is central to understanding the pay disparity between NBA and WNBA players. It also offers clear examples of the discrepancies in payroll formation, supporting our investigation into whether these differences are justified or indicative of deeper issues of inequality and discrimination in sports.
https://ndamstamericana.com/2021/03/08/a-movement-not-a-moment-the-us-womens-national-soccer-team-and-its-fight-for-equal-pay-2016-2020/. Ndamst, Americana. "A Movement, Not a Moment: The US Women’s National Soccer Team and Its Fight for Equal Pay, 2016-2020." 8 Mar. 2021,
The article begins with a EEOC complaint filed by then USWNT biggest stars in an attempt towards gaining leverage in their upcoming contract negotiations before the 2016 Olympics and how they used their publicity to promote their issue. Losing in the quarterfinals, brought blowback after self proclaiming their cause on being winners. The new CBA was a success due to the publicity that put pressure on the USSF to give more equitable, not equal, terms. Leading up to the 2019 World Cup, all 28 players were named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit for gender discrimination. Luna Bar, Adidas, and Visa gave sponsorships publicly to help the Woman close the pay gap to that of what the Men’s national team were receiving. After winning the World Cup, their case was dismissed in court, but it was seen as a loss to the USSF as they have settled to find a favorable new CBA for the USWNT in 2022.
The author effectively outlines the USWNT’s journey towards achieving more equitable pay, providing a clear and factual account of events without personal opinions. Clear timelines are provided to help readers navigate the developments of the USWNT path for equal pay. Paragraphs are neither too long nor too short, as it finds a strong balance of time spent on each event along their path.
This article is highly relevant to our project as it provides a detailed account of a high-profile gender pay dispute in women's sports, offering insights into the strategies and outcomes of such a fight. The USWNT's journey and the resulting public and corporate support underscore the growing recognition and demand for gender equality in sports. This case study can serve as an inspiring example for the WNBA, illustrating the potential for successful advocacy and the importance of public and corporate engagement in addressing pay disparities.
"What readers think about the pay gap between WNBA and NBA players." Boston.com, 2024. https://www.boston.com/community/readers-say/gender-pay-gap-sports-caitlin-clark/
This article discusses public opinions on the gender pay gap in professional basketball, especially in light of Caitlin Clark's entry into the WNBA. Clark's success in basketball has garnered attention and anticipation that her professional career could boost the WNBA's viewership and revenues. The writers conducted an informal poll where the majority of the 583 respondents attribute the salary differences between the NBA and WNBA to the leagues' distinct revenue levels. While some people call for equal pay, the reality is that higher league revenues would be necessary for higher player salaries. The article highlights that Clark's presence in the WNBA might create interest and investment in women's basketball, which could help narrow the pay gap.
Increased viewership and sponsorship due to Clark’s influence could facilitate a more lucrative environment for the WNBA, enabling it to offer more competitive salaries. This would not only benefit players financially but could also serve as a case study in how individual athletes can impact broader economic and cultural perceptions in professional sports. This concept is very similar in the NBA with notable figures like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Lebron James. The WNBA have the opportunity to leverage Clark’s popularity for more financial revenue and visibility, and to create a more individual ‘super-star’ narrative in WNBA.
Samuels, R. (2024). WNBA Pay Disparity Puts Spotlight on Retirement Gender Savings Gap. https://www.plansponsor.com/wnba-pay-disparity-puts-spotlight-on-retirement-gender-savings-gap/
This article touches on the severe pay disparity between male and female professional basketball players, spotlighting Caitlin Clark’s entry into the WNBA and her substantially lower salary compared to NBA draftees. This kind of disparity is not just a sports issue but it can be reflected as a broader societal problem where women, across multiple professions, earn less, which in return affects their ability to save for retirement. The article points to data showing women's retirement contributions are about 30% lower than men's, exacerbated by the persistent gender wage gap. It also highlights structural disadvantages such as the prevalence of women in lower-paid jobs and limited access to retirement plans, which shows that there are many factors that hinder women's financial independence into their retirement years.
By using Caitlin Clark’s situation, the writer draws attention to systemic issues that perpetuate financial disparities. This approach not only raises awareness but also prompts a discussion about potential solutions, such as improving workplace policies and expanding access to retirement savings programs. The inclusion of various statistical data and expert opinions strengthens the argument and shows the different challenges women face, from lower salaries to the "motherhood penalty" which affects long-term savings.