Does the NBA subsidize the WNBA?

The WNBA All-Star Game took place in Indianapolis over the weekend and it wasn’t the game or the event that made the most headlines. It was the message the players had written on their warm up shirts.

Indy was platform for statement

The shirts had a clear. “Pay us what you owe us” was the message to the league, the team owners and the NBA. It has been a hot button issue for players, fans and owners for the last few years as the league struggles to turn a profit, despite having superstars like Caitlin Clark, Angle Reese, A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum.

The WNBA was founded as a female counterpart to the NBA in 1996, and the new league first tipped off in 1997. It started out with eight teams, and after going through a lot of upheavals including relocations, it currently has 13.

A new collective baragaining agreement could be on the way for players seeking a bump in salary, but for now only 20% of league revenue goes to players salaries. That means that the base salary according to Sports Illustrated in $102,249 for the 2025 season.

What is the NBA financial backing and subsidies for the WNBA?

The NBA and WNBA used to have a 50/50 split of ownership of the league. That number has changed since the league got a $75 million dollar investment in 2022. Those investors now owns 16% of the league. The other 84% is split 42% for the WNBA and 42% for the NBA. Then you take into account that six of the 13 franchises in the WNBA are owned by NBA team owners, those figures more realistically account for 60% ownership for the NBA.

While independent owners do have their say in league, Atlanta Dream CEO Suzzane Abair broke it down like this. “If all the WNBA owners say they want to do something and the NBA says no, the answer is no,” said Abair.

Despite the lack of autonomy for the independent owners, the NBA’s backing is still a necessity to keep the league running. “We’ve invested year after year and are going to continue to invest… There is no short-term business plan to turn the league into a profitable one, but that’s OK,” said NBA Commisioner Adam Silver.

The WNBA’s lack of profitability

The WNBA generates less revenue compared to the NBA. The financial resources from ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting deals are not sufficient to sustain WNBA operations independently.

The NBA recognizes the need for a professional women’s league. By subsidizing the WNBA, the NBA champions gender equality in sports and provides role models for aspiring female players.

In the end, the WNBA players aren’t looking to be paid like the NBA players. They are looking for an equal share of revenue according to Kelsey Plum. “I’m tired of people thinking that (we) players are asking for the same type of money as NBA players… we are asking for the same percentage of revenue shared within our CBA. NBA players receive around 50% of shared revenue within their league, whereas we receive around 20%.”