Stephen Curry’s Single Match Salary 3x More than W-NBA Player’s Annual Salary

Published 08/17/2021, 12:02 PM EDT

Basketball aficionados in the United States are at a crossroads yet again. However, this time around, it involves an issue that goes far beyond the lines of a basketball court. The growing disparity between the NBA and the W-NBA, especially in the modern era, is shocking! With modern day superstars like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant netting major paychecks of up to 700,000 $ this offseason, the question doing the rounds is, why has the W-NBA fallen behind?

Following a boom in widespread fan following, the NBA’s propensity to offer blockbuster contracts also increased. But, the women’s game seemed to be left behind, as salaries have been rather stagnant in the past decade.

With Joel Embiid's extension, and the ones recently signed by Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, we have reached the point where elite NBA players are being signed to deals that eventually will hover around $700,000 per game. Per game. Played or not played. Load managed or not.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) August 17, 2021

Article continues below this ad

Former Golden State Warriors Teammates Kevin Durant & Draymond Green Will Finally Settle an Old Feud

A monster NBA extension for Stephen Curry

Steph Curry just signed a whooping 4-yr 215-million $ extension, to remain in Golden State this offseason. The contract will see Curry secure a staggering 47.2-million $ this season, a forgone conclusion that GM Bob Myers threw the kitchen sink to retain the 3x NBA Champion.

When compared to what WNBA stars like Washington’s Elena Delle Donne, or Phoenix’s Skylar Diggins Smith who net an annual income of just over $221,450, Curry, playing or not, makes triple ($700,000) PER GAME!

‘I Can’t Fathom’: Russell Westbrook Casts Doubt on His Future With the Los Angeles Lakers

Article continues below this ad

In its 25 years of uplifting women through sport, the WNBA has fallen way behind with their supermax base extension capped at $221,450 per annum. Furthermore, the average annual WNBA salary was just a mere 120,650 $ in 2021.

This disparity comes at a point where, on the other hand, stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steph Curry have signed over $200-million contracts in 2020-21.

Is it considering the revenues the NBA generates via viewership, ticket sales, broadcasting, and merchandizing in comparison to the WNBA? Whatever the case may be, this issue is rapidly up and coming on the docket for both commissioner Cathy Englebert and Adam Silver.

Article continues below this ad

WATCH THIS STORY: The Best NBA Players Who Signed With Michael Jordan Brand

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Nikhil Naik is an NBA writer at EssentialySports. Having completed his bachelor's degree in Hospitality, he has worked with the Indian Hotels Company Limited, at the Taj in Mumbai. Nikhil has been playing basketball since 2014.

Stephen Curry’s Single Match Salary 3x More than W-NBA Player’s Annual Salary

A monster NBA extension for Stephen Curry

Trending

Shaq Makes Big Claim That Can End LeBron James’ Future With Lakers After Nuggets Series

Possible Shohei Ohtani Ban From MLB Has Shaq Questioning $700 Million Contract

Why Is Gabbie Marshall Not Invited to the 2024 WNBA Draft Despite Graduating From Iowa?

Is Dawn Staley Married? Details on South Carolina Coach’s Love Life and Special Bond With Lisa Boyer

Nate Robinson’s Tragic Situation Receives Genuine Moment of Empathy from Stephen A. Smith