WNBA Wages Unfair?

By: Ryan Duda

Staff Writer

As the WNBA Playoffs came to a close, there have been talks about if WNBA athletes are getting paid unfairly in relation to NBA athletes.                                                                                            

Many people heard that the Toronto Raptors won the 2019 NBA Finals, but not as many people have spoken out about the Mystics winning the 2019 WNBA Finals.

The concern surrounding this series between the two teams is if female athletes deserve equal wages: considering both male and female basketball players are playing the same sport. 

Multiple students and faculty members at Hudson Valley Community College had there own input on the situation. 

“The NBA is getting so many more viewers, and the WNBA just isn’t, so the wages aren’t going to be the same,” Giovanni Audi, business major, said. “The competitiveness of the games is making it tough for everyone to rally behind [equal NBA wages].”

“Women’s athletics tend to be slower paced and less exciting to spectate, so in that regard I understand how men are paid more due to arena ticket sales and advertising, which seem to be way lower for the WNBA,” agreed business major Ethan Hughes.

The viewership of these important games get debated quite often in today’s society, with an increase in talk after the US Women’s Soccer National Team won the World Cup earlier this year.

“The women play just like the men and should be paid the same too,” said an anonymous female student. “The women don’t get as much notice as the men because the NBA is advertised a lot more,” she continued. “I think the pay difference is unfair and it needs to be changed somehow.”

Students agreed that the wage gap was partially due to advertising and viewership.

“From a business perspective, I understand that they’re going where the dollars are,” said Professor Jodi Mathers. “The trends I am seeing now that are different from years ago, is how many young girls and their families are rallying behind some professional sports.”

 She continued. “Women make up half of the population, so I think they’re missing an untapped market by not giving women the same opportunities.”                                                                                

The difference in wages between the NBA and WNBA will continue to be a valid topic to discuss as time progresses.