Cambage said she is focused on getting a European contract that is much more lucrative than WNBA dealsNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
WNBA Dallas Wings C Liz Cambage's return to the league next season is "still up in the air" in part due to concerns about "travel conditions, on-court play and pay disparity," according to Sean Hurd of ESPN.com. Cambage is a leading MVP candidate this season, but the "price and physical toll of a WNBA season is potentially not worth the return." Cambage said, "Playing here doesn't pay my bills. We make more money overseas. I'm ready to have next summer off and focus on getting a European contract where its 10 seasons here worth the pay" (ESPN.com, 8/15). Connecticut Sun F and WNBPA VP Chiney Ogwumike said it is "unfortunate that the best league isn't compensated" like foreign leagues. Ogwumike said that Phoenix Mercury G Diana Taurasi and L.A. Sparks F Candace Parker have been “very adamant about pushing the boundaries" with the next CBA. The current CBA expires in '21 but has an opt out for both sides in '19. The WNBPA is "trying to attack” players salaries, player experience and health and safety in the new deal. Ogwumike said, "Time is money, When we are here in the U.S., most people don't understand that we actually are seven months overseas. ... I've had two injuries in this league and we feel like we need to be compensated likewise.” She added, "If you want to grow our game, you have to actually invest in the players who are the game. If you invest in the players, those players will maybe not go overseas. Then maybe we'll attract more ticket sales, more sponsorships" (“OTL,” ESPN, 8/15).
WNBA'S RESPONSE: WNBA President Lisa Borders responded to Ogwumike in a statement that reads, "“We provided the players union with financials for the WNBA and all 12 teams covering the entire term of the CBA at the beginning of May and they are aware of the league and its teams’ revenues and expenses. While I encourage WNBA players to speak out on issues important to them, it is equally important that they understand the realities of our business. We are committed to working together to grow our fanbase and revenues so that player salaries can increase” (THE DAILY).
DEALING WITH FINITE FUNDS: Minnesota Lynx Owner Glen Taylor talked about the possibility of players getting a larger share of revenue in the next CBA and said, "Everybody would say they would like to see the players be paid more, but then there’s the practical part of based on how much revenue we’re going to bring in from the TV." Taylor: "There is only a couple sources here and there’s limitations on that, so the best thing for us to do is to have an exciting league and going out and getting more advertisers, getting more TV revenue and getting more fans and with that we can increase the pay for the players. So, yes I’m for it, but also I’m very practical. If the money isn’t there, you can only do as much as is feasible. Otherwise you’ll be running a league that’s going to go broke and that’s not in our interest in the long run" (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/16).
