Shaq sat down with USA Today to discuss the WNBA and the impact that Reese and Clark have had on the sport. Shaq has been watching women’s basketball closely, but he has special interest in the 2024 WNBA Rookie class.
He pointed out how Reese and Clark have completely transformed the women’s game with revamped ratings and unprecedented viewership. Therefore, now it’s time to reap the rewards.
“Now it’s time for equal pay. They’ve always been great, but the space they’re in now, it’s time for everybody to be getting equal pay. I would love to see one of them make $10, 15, 20 million a year, they deserve it,” said Shaq.
Shaq took Reese under his wing after her brilliance in the 2023 NCAA Final. Since then, they’ve built a close bond.
O’Neal went to support Reese at the Sky’s final matchup against Clark and the Indiana Fever. After the game, the NBA legend couldn’t help but give Clark her flowers.
“When I see stuff on TV I’m like, OK, I’d like to see it in person. Well, I saw it in person…She can play … from a basketball standpoint, she makes all the right plays, gets everybody involved and she has that Steph Curry (shooting) range.”
Clark and Reese have been catalysts in the sudden surge in popularity of the WNBA. According to ESPN, this season was the most viewed across ESPN’s platforms with an average of 1.2 million viewers per game. That marks a 170% increase from 2023.
However, Shaq implored fans to continue supporting the league. He thinks that’s the only way for the athletes to be paid deservingly.
“But the fans have to continue to support … you gotta keep (going) to the games, buying merch, you gotta keep doing all that stuff and the more they do that, the more they’ll get paid,” Shaq added.
There has always been a wage gap separating the NBA and WNBA, which has mainly been due to the difference in popularity of the two leagues. However, since that gap is now slowly closing, Shaq thinks that the gap in wages needs to close too.
According to Statista, the average annual NBA salary for the 2023-24 season was over $12 million. On the other hand, the average annual WNBA salary for the 2023-24 season was $116.58k. There isn’t a single player in the WNBA making seven figures annually.
Voices such as Shaq’s hold enough weight to continue to influence the movement of eventually getting these athletes the contracts they deserve.
News
BREAKING: New York Liberty Confirm No Interest in Trading for Angel Reese: Implications for the Team and the Star Player.
In a recent statement, the New York Liberty confirmed that they have no plans to pursue a trade for basketball sensation Αngel Reese. This news has generated…
Angel Reese Leɑʋes Eʋeryone’s J.ɑ.w.s On The Floor With Her P.ɑ.n.t.i.es Showing In See-Through Leoρɑrd-P.r.i.n.t Shorts Strutting Her Stuff (VIDEO)
Angel Reese (Photo ʋiɑ Instɑgrɑm) Angel Reese couldn’t hɑʋe imɑgined her rookie seɑson concluding with ɑn unexρected wrist injury, but she certɑinly hɑsn’t let thɑt stoρ her from…
“I’m Calling Now”: Angel Reese Is Always Julian’s Right-Hand Man in Every Situation
Angel Reese believes in her brother [images via Instagram/Julian Reese & Instagram/Angel Reese] The bond between siblings is often unparalleled, and a recent example of this comes…
BEAR BARBIE Angel Reese’s outfit at Bears-Panthers turns heads as WNBA star is forced to defend herself days after Ravens appearance
Reese finished second in Rookie of the Year voting this season ANGEL Reese is getting heat for an outfit she wore to an NFL game. Reese is…
Angel Reese Struggles to Walk in Heels: ‘A Baddie Can’t Stay Bad Too Long’
Arturo Holmes/MG24/Getty Images Even Angel Reese sometimes struggles to walk in heels. The 22-year-old WNBA star, a.k.a. “The Bayou Barbie,” hilariously shrugged off the fashion faux pas when she…
Angel Reese for Hailey Van Lith with just two words
Angel Reese’s former teammate with the LSU Tigers, Hailey Van Lith, transferred to the TCU Horned Frogs in the offseason, set to embark on her fifth year…
End of content
No more pages to load