When Vice-President of the WNBPA, Breanna Stewart called the recent CBA Talks “a wasted opportunity,” this sentiment reflected how much the league respected its players. Despite eyeing expansion opportunities beyond securing the Golden State Valkyries with $250 million per team, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert felt a hole in her pockets when 40 players proposed a revised revenue-sharing model. And now Angel Reese joined the list of athletes to call out Cathy’s impending decision.

So, while Cathy turned a blind eye to the salary pleas, the players turned on the All-Star court in black “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts as a silent protest against the league’s pay disparity when compared with the NBA. And fans chimed in unison, “Pay them! Pay them!” While the current salaries are below the market value of most athletes, Reese exposed the financial constraints indirectly imposed by the W.

The Chicago Sky star joined rookie Paige Bueckers and Breanna Stewart and voiced her opinion on the matter with, “Not that I need the money. It’s for everybody else.” Following her blatant revelation, Yahoo Sports shared a post on social media, echoing Reese’s sentiment. They shared a poster of the Sky forward with a caption that read, “Angel Reese said her voice will be heard during WNBA CBA talks.”

The star had long exposed the financial reality of the league. Reese went live on Instagram during a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last year. Here, the Maryland native talked about her finances with the fans. “I just hope y’all know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think that doesn’t pays one of my bills,” Reese can be heard saying. “Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent rent for where I stay at. Let me do the math real quick… I don’t even know my salary… 74k?” But all wasn’t games when her numbers didn’t add up.

“I’m living beyond my means! Sike,” Reese said as the realization hit the athlete. She revealed that her WNBA salary is insufficient to pay her rent. The star reportedly owns a flat in Chicago with a rent of $8k. Unfortunately, the star cannot afford the property off of her professional income alone. Probably this is the reason that several athletes resort to various endorsements, deals, and brand partnerships. This helps generate income through multiple channels and live the life the players deserve.

Well, the CBA negotiations hit a deadlock this year after Engelbert made a counter proposal to the salary growth discussion. Led by the WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike and Vice-President Breanna Stewart, the union suggested an equity-based model that will run on a 50% sharing capacity. As opposed to the current 9–10% revenue sharing model that leaves athletes with a minimum of $66,079 to a maximum of $249,244.

The players union noticed that the gap in the booming media rights, ratings, revenue, team valuations, expansion fees, attendance, and ticket sales, does not reflected on the payment of those who actually bring it. Though they tried reasoning, the talks fell flat and no outcome was reached. And while Reese voiced the housing issue last year, she isn’t the only player to do so. The Dallas Wings’ rookie Paige Bueckers too shared a similar sentiment a day ago.

Paige Bueckers jokingly admits to a real-estate partnership

Amidst the ongoing CBA talks, players like Paige Bueckers are highlighting real-life issues and how the league’s pay barely contributes to the livelihood of the athletes. In a recent All-Star game interview, Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers smartly integrated the ongoing salary disparity and bridged it with the homelessness crisis in the country.

The viral video of Bueckers was doing rounds on social media. It was shared by national reporter Landon Bufort, who asked the guard about her potential future endorsements. The clip features a thinking Bueckers who ultimately responds with, “Idk, I guess one in the future, I’d like to have a car dealership partnership, so I don’t have to pay for a car.” While it was all mockery, things changed after her next statement.

Bueckers went on to add, “I’d also love to have a real estate partnership so I wouldn’t have to pay for a house. In every single deal, try to get the most out of it. So, you don’t have to pay for it.” Despite boasting of the world’s largest economy, nearly 771,480 people suffer from homelessness in the country. According to the National Department of Housing and Urban Development, the 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) estimated an 18% increase in homelessness from 2023.

With the nation grappling with such issues, the CBA negotiations hardly make provisions of a better pay. No wonder athletes progress to European clubs and leagues that promise better salaries. Besides international ventures, almost all athletes have some or the other endorsements or brand partnerships that help sustain their daily expenses. After all, being a basketball player in the W is a costly affair these days. What do you think?