Toliver could have landed a more competitive salary with an NBA team not affiliated with the WNBANBAE/GETTY IMAGES
WNBA Washington Mystics G Kristi Toliver became the first "active WNBA player to serve as an NBA assistant coach" in '18 after joining the Wizards staff, but her "unprecedented situation has brought to light a thorny issue in the WNBA," according to Ava Wallace of the WASHINGTON POST. Toliver is earning a salary of $10,000 from the Wizards, which is a "fraction of the six figures NBA assistant coaches regularly make." The matter "raised by Toliver -- not only of pay disparity but career advancement -- could have significant ramifications" as the WNBPA and the WNBA "gear up for negotiations" of a new CBA. Under the current deal, the issue "pits Toliver and the Wizards, who were prepared to pay competitively, against the WNBA." Because Toliver would be "coaching for a team that falls under the same corporate umbrella as the Mystics," her coaching salary must come out of a $50,000 pool "allotted to each WNBA team to pay players for offseason work." As $40,000 had "already been promised to three other Mystics players, Toliver accepted what was left." Had Toliver taken a coaching position with "any of the NBA teams who aren't affiliated with the WNBA, she would have been free to negotiate a more competitive salary." The WNBA "makes it clear it supports players who want to move into coaching or front-office positions" by offering initiatives such as the NBA Basketball Operations Associate Program. But Toliver, in "trying to coach as an active player, ultimately felt unsupported by the WNBA." She said, "It doesn't make sense. It's frustrating. It's disappointing. I've invested a lot of my life in this league and trying to promote this league as a player, winning championships, bringing a team that hasn't been to a championship to its first Finals. You shouldn't have to choose playing over pursuing another dream, especially if they can coexist." Toliver added, "It's just a matter of trusting those people that make those decisions and hoping that they'll do the right thing. I think everybody knows what that is" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/5).
