The former Orlando Magic star is a great advocate for equal pay between the NBA and the “W.”
Shaquille O’Neal wants equal pay for equal play for Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese brought the WNBA viewers and business deals never seen before. Although the rookies will see little benefit for all they’ve contributed, there’s one person who isn’t willing to tolerate injustice – none other thanShaquille O’Neal.
With the WNBA regular season in the rearview mirror, few doubt the impact the Clark-Reese rivalry has had on the league. Viewership has soared, and new sponsors are willing to risk their money on the league.
Still, Clark’s rookie contract will pay her just $338,056 over four years, while Reese will receive $324,000 over the same span. The W’s biggest stars aren’t doing any better. A’ja Wilson’s contract is for $400,000 over two years, and Jackie Young’s, the highest-paid player in the league, is for $504,000 over two seasons.
These figures pale compared to the $55 million over four years that Victor Wenbanyama will earn for his rookie contract with the San Antonio Spurs or the $205 million that the Minnesota Timberwolves will pay Rudy Gobert over five years. Shaq isn’t willing to tolerate this any longer.
O’Neal’s relentless campaign
It’s well known that the former Los Angeles Lakers star has a great appreciation for Angel Reese. Recently, he also recognized Caitlin Clark’stalent and charisma.
In an interview with Forbes, O’Neal highlighted how these two players have attracted attention to the WNBA but said that’s not enough. “I’m glad there’s a new (focus) on the WNBA. But the conversation is not over. We need to start getting them similar pay,” said the “Big Aristotle.”
“I said this before and I took a lot of flak for it, but I mean it. For a guy like Rudy Gobert to make $200 million and not be that good, while Caitlin Clark to make $100,000 [per season], there’s something wrong with that picture,” Shaq insisted.
But it’s not all complaints on Shaq’s part. The four-time NBA champion also has a plan to change the situation, and it all starts with the fans.
Shaq wants to involve all the fans
“We need to start having women get similar pay or equal pay. Fans should keep supporting them, continue buying merchandise, continue helping them get TV deals,” said O’Neal, aware of the challenges faced by the players and the WNBA as a league.
If the “Big Man” has his way, players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reesecould be the W’s first millionaires. “I am looking forward to the day when a woman professional athlete makes $50 or $60 million like she deserves, for being a good player,” he noted.
Media, fans, and Shaq himself are aware that, at the moment, the league does not generate enough revenue to support such salaries. However, if the popularity of the WNBA continues to grow, fueled by talents like Reese and Clark, that day may not be too far away.
Referees’ ‘disgusting’ and ‘outrageous’ treatment of Caitlin Clark: They are blind, they are so bad!
The Indiana Fever star bowed out of the WNBA Playoffs on September 25, but fans were not happy.
The WNBA referees have been slammed by basketball fans for their failure to protect the Indiana Fever’s Cailtin Clark as she suffered two more uncalled fouls during their elimination game against the Connecticut Sun on September 25.
The Game 2 incident came just days after she was poked in the eye as she kicked off her WNBA postseason career, in an already controversial incident that wasn’t called against DiJona Carrington, who was lucky not to be expelled from the contest.
Now during the Sun’s 87-81 victory over the Fever and the 22-year-old, despite her valiant effort of 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds at the Mohegan Sun Arena, she was fouled two more times. One by DeWanna Bronner and another by Marina Mabrey.
Bronner jumped towards Clark as she went to shoot a three-pointer from deep but missed her block attempt and collided with the ex-Iowa Hawkeye as they tumbled to the floor. The rookie was incensed as she appealed to the referees, who didn’t grant her the call.
Then later in the contest, she was breaking down the right hand side and tried to get into two-point range by driving at the basket yet as she went to shoot she was slapped in the face by Mabrey.
Fans hit out at WNBA
The ESPN commentators immediately called the foul but officials had different ideas and as a result, fans took to X.com, formerly Twitter, to hit out at the incidents.
Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports founder, wrote, “This is the most automatic call in the league. How the f**k do you miss this? @wnba refs are so bad.”
He later added: “These refs are literally blind. Its disgusting we keep using challenges on fake fouls.”
Whilst a second fan said, “It can’t be accidental at this point. We need a full investigation into what the refs have been told to do with regards to officiating Caitlin Clark.”
And a third wrote, “The refs didn’t miss it. The WNBA hates Clark. There are players in the WNBA who are jealous and catty towards Clark. They are letting them get away with fouls so she gets frustrated and quits.”
