When Angel Reese signed with the Chicago Sky as the seventh overall pick In the 2024 WNBA draft, she was entering a league that is a far cry from what it was just five years ago. The salary landscape has changed dramatically, but let’s be realistic about whether these changes are truly transformative or simply incremental steps toward what these athletes deserve.

The raw numbers tell a story of progress. The 2024 WNBA season shows the highest salaries in league historywith top players eligible to win up to $241,984. The supermax salary has increased 94% since 2019, when the league’s elite players maxed out at $121,500. Even the minimum wage for rookies has increased to $64,154, more than double what it was in 2019. But here’s where things get complicated. While the WNBA salary cap reaches $1.4 million per team in 2024, The NBA salary cap stands at $140 million.. Yes, you read that right. And before anyone comes up with the “but revenue” argument, let’s recognize that even accounting for differences in league revenue, WNBA players receive about 33% of league revenue, while men NBA players get about 50%.

For most WNBA players, making this work means playing year-round. According to AP, approximately 50% of players She will also compete overseas during the WNBA offseason. Stars like Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson can make big money in both markets, but this double duty comes at a cost: physical toll, time away from family and the mental strain of never really having an offseason.

Marketing dollars tell a completely different story. the league Collective bargaining agreement 2020 It included provisions for increased marketing opportunities, however, in 2023, only a handful of players landed major brand deals. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark’s NIL Valuation Hits $3.1 Million even before entering the WNBA draft, highlighting both the potential and the disparity in how women’s basketball talent is valued.

What is particularly striking is the racial dynamics at play. In a league where More than 60% of players are black women.The conversation about fair compensation isn’t just about gender: it’s about racial equity in sports. When we talk about WNBA salaries, we’re talking about the work of Black women being undervalued, a story that resonates far beyond the basketball court.

The league has taken steps in the right direction. The new collective agreement introduced progressive elements such as fully paid maternity leave, improved travel accommodation and potential income-sharing opportunities. These changes came after years of player activism, led by women like Angel McCoughtry and Nneka Ogwumike, who were not afraid to demand better.

But let’s be clear: better than before is not the same as good enough. When the WNBA minimum salary barely exceeds US median household incomeWe’re not just talking about a gender pay gap: we’re talking about the fundamental devaluation of women’s professional sport.

The question isn’t whether WNBA players should be grateful for these raises. The question is why, in 2024, we will still have to justify fair compensation for professional athletes who consistently deliver world-class performance, drive cultural conversations, and inspire the next generation of players.

Wage increases are a start, not a goal. As viewership continues to increase, the 2024 WNBA Finals saw a 115% increase in viewers Compared to the previous year, momentum is building for real change. The numbers are rising, yes, but until they reflect the true value these athletes bring to the game, our job is not done.