Kelsey Plum wants to get paid, but she is not asking to get paid like NBA players.
The Las Vegas Aces star voiced her displeasure with the WNBA’s current pay structure and advocated for a larger revenue share from the NBA on Monday. Appearing on “The Residency Podcast,” the Las Vegas Aces guard wanted to speak on some of the talking points by detractors who want to criticize women who just want their fair share.
“We are not asking to get paid what the men get paid. We’re asking to be paid the same percentage of revenue shared. … That’s a huge misconception. I don’t think I should get paid the same as LeBron. But the percentage of revenue – like for example: they sell my jersey in Mandalay Bay, I don’t get a dime.”
The 2022 All-Star Game MVP then went on to break down the differences between the two leagues when it comes to how the money is divvied up.
“In the NBA, they have percentages of revenue shared for the players. So jersey sales, obviously their TV contracts – You see every year these contracts get bigger and bigger and bigger. … But that’s because their CBA negotiates where the owners are making certain types of money they get that as well. In the WNBA, that’s not the case.”
For the upcoming 2023 season, WNBA salaries will range from $62,285 to $234,936, according to a recent story published in The Athletic. NBA players currently receive approximately 50% of shared revenue, while WNBA players receive only 20% of shared revenue.
Enhancement of the revenue-sharing model between the WNBA and NBA would put more money in WNBA players’ pockets.
