WNBA salaries have been talked about in numerous debates across the world ever since Brittney Griner got arrested. The Phoenix Mercury star was on her way to join her teammates in UMMC Ekaterinburg when she was detained by officials in an airport near Moscow.
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Griner has spent the WNBA offseason in Russia for quite some time now. Due to the high salaries overseas, numerous WNBA stars take their talents elsewhere. A Griner supporter brought up this issue while comparing Candace Parker to Derrick Rose.
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Interestingly enough, despite having more accolades than Rose, Parker earned way lesser than the former MVP. Moreover, Rose also earned a staggering amount of money from endorsements.
Derrick Rose’s earnings compared to a WNBA champion gives worrying signals
There is no denying that there is a significant wage gap between the NBA and the WNBA. While some of the role players in the NBA earn millions, the same cannot be said about even some of the biggest stars in the WNBA.
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This forces WNBA athletes to take their talents overseas for monetary purposes. For instance, Brittney Griner played the offseason in Russia in order to earn decently and afford her lifestyle.
To put things into perspective, one commentator pointed out that, Candace Parker, a two-time WNBA champion and two-time MVP earned $5.5 million in endorsements last year. On the other hand, Derrick Rose, who hasn’t been at the top for quite some time now had earned $13 million in 2017.
“While the league and those close to Griner wait in anguish for an update on her condition and whereabouts, the fact remains that she never should have been in Russia,” the commentator stated.
“If our country valued women more, she wouldn?t have been,” she added.
How much did Brittney Griner earn compared to NBA stars?
During her time in the WNBA, Brittney Griner was one of the best players in the league. However, she earned nowhere compared to her counterparts in the NBA. Griner earned $221,450 during the 2021-22 season. The minimum salary in the NBA is $925,258 according to sources.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 30: Brittney Griner #42 and Brianna Turner #21 of the Phoenix Mercury talk on the bench in the fourth quarter of Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mercury defeated the Aces 117-91. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
This forced Brittney Griner to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg and she was on her way to joining the team in February. Subsequently, she was detained by officials which led to a long legal process.
The judiciary sentenced BG to nine years in prison and she is currently being transferred to a Russian penal colony. A prisoner swap deal remains the last hope for Griner’s team but the negotiations have been tough.
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What are your thoughts on the Brittney Griner situation? Let us know in the comments down below.
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Satagni Sikder