WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has finally addressed the elephant in the room: UConn phenom and No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers’ groundbreaking three-year deal with the upstart Unrivaled women’s basketball league. And her response? Surprisingly direct, downplaying the news as old hat while subtly highlighting the WNBA’s own strengths.
The revelation that Bueckers’ first-year salary with Unrivaled surpasses her entire four-year rookie scale contract in the WNBA sent shockwaves through the sports world, reigniting the ongoing debate about WNBA player salaries.
ESPN’sKendra Andrews’ tweet highlighting this stark financial disparity amplified the conversation, making it impossible to ignore. However, when Engelbert faced the music during a media availability on April 14, her reaction was far from the expected outrage or concern.
“I think first of all, I think Paige already announced that six months ago,” Engelbert stated bluntly, as reported by SB Nation’s Noa Dalzell. “I think it was quite some time ago, it was already announced that Paige was signing a three-year deal with them.”
The reach of the WNBA is still unmatched
Engelbert then pivoted, offering a seemingly supportive, yet subtly defensive, stance on the rival league. “Obviously, I’m very proud of what Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart have thought through with that league,” she added, acknowledging the WNBA stars spearheading Unrivaled.
She then drew a clear distinction, emphasizing the WNBA’s established infrastructure and reach. “I know it’s a lot easier to do 30 [players] in one spot. So we obviously travel the world, and the US, and have a big platform. So I think what the WNBA offers is a huge platform for players around their corporate partners.”
Engelbert concluded by offering a seemingly magnanimous perspective, stating, “Anything that raises the game of women’s basketball, obviously, we support.”
Engelbert is aware of the competition they face
The Commissioner stated, “We are thrilled with the momentum we have coming off the NCAA season, coming off Unrivaled, but certainly thrilled with the viewership we have, and the momentum we have, and the capital coming into our league, as well as the investments our owners are making.”
While Engelbert’s words suggest a supportive stance towards any growth in women’s basketball, her initial bluntness and quick pivot to the WNBA’s advantages indicate a clear awareness of the competitive landscape and the financial allure Unrivaled presents.
The commissioner’s reaction, while seemingly diplomatic, subtly underscores the ongoing salary challenges the WNBA faces as a new league with significant financial backing enters the scene, potentially changing the game for top-tier talent like Paige Bueckers.
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