NBA Star Calls Out Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and WNBA Ability Amid Pay Demand Calls
An NBA star has called out Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and the WNBA's ability amid demands for higher pay.
In recent years, several WNBA players have spoken out about their pay in contrast to their male compatriots. Earlier this summer, they made global headlines with their protest before the All-Star game.
They warmed up wearing black t-shirts with white writing which read: "Pay us what you owe us."
The protest came about due to the stalling of a new collective bargaining agreement in the week before the All-Star game. Under the pre-existing agreement, players were entitled to a quarter of the league's profits each year, so long as the WNBA hit their revenue targets.
Advert
According to IndyStar, that equated to a maximum of roughly $250,000 per year for some players, while the salary for rookies started at $72,000.
By contrast, in the NBA, players receive half of the league's revenue, regardless of targets being met.
This frustration led the WNBA's biggest stars, including Reese and Clark to protest ahead of one of the sport's most high-profile games.
But NBA star Michael Porter Jr, who won the NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, was dismissive of the talent within the WNBA.
Porter Jr, who now plays for the Brooklyn Nets, suggested that a team of high schoolers would beat the All-Star team.
He said: "If the WNBA All-Star team, if the Olympic team played the McDonald's All-American high school players.in high school, when I was in high school, we were grown men, pretty much.
"If we play the WNBA All-Star team, that, no disrespect, bro.
"No disrespect, bro. I'm not even gonna say it."
What have other NBA stars said about the WNBA pay divide?
Many of basketball's biggest stars have already made their feelings clear on the debate. Back in 2017, LeBron James wore a pair of black shoes with the word 'equality' written in gold on the heel.
And in 2022, he expressed his disappointment that WNBA star Brittney Griner had gone to play basketball in Russia, where pay was significantly better than in the WNBA.
Just last year the Lakers star then described Reese and Clark as 'icons' in an interview with ESPN.
Steph Curry has also been outspoken on the pay divide.
In 2018, the Golden State Warriors star endorsed the closing of the pay gap on Women's Equality Day.
He told the Players Tribune: “I think it’s important that we all come together to figure out how we can make that possible, as soon as possible.
"And not just on Women’s Equality Day. Every day – that’s when we need to be working to close the pay gap in this country."
Topics: Basketball, NBA, WNBA
James Taylor