Catherine Rusoff
O WNBA is investigating whether the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s $100,000 annual sponsorship of Aces players this season and next is permissible.
A league spokesperson confirmed Saturday that there is an open investigation into the deal. The sponsorships do not violate the WNBA’s salary cap because Las Vegas officials did not orchestrate them with the club. But other teams have likely raised questions about the fairness of the sponsorships and whether they violate the spirit of the cap rules.
“I’ll put it very simply. Most sponsors go after the top two,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “From what I understand, they wanted the whole team. They called individual agents. I don’t know the details. I have nothing to do with it. Aces have nothing to do with it. occurred.”
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This isn’t the Aces’ first clash with the league in recent years. Last year, the WNBA suspended Hammon for two games and stripped the Aces of their 2025 first-round draft pick because the franchise violated league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies.
“Just another day in the life of the Aces. We can’t just start normally,” said star A’ja Wilson. “There’s always going to be something and that’s okay. When we talk about developing the game or taking the next step, it can’t always be investigated. It has to be like we’re trying to make things better for franchises, for players for teams.”
The head of the authority feels they have done nothing wrong.
“We did it the right way,” the authority’s president and CEO, Steve Hill, told The Associated Press on Saturday. “We did something that we think works for Las Vegas and I think is great for the players. We did it without the team. It was our idea and whatever question they ask, they’ll figure it out.”
The authority posted a video on X of Hill telling players in the locker room the news on Friday.
“We have 100 influencers that we pay to represent Las Vegas,” Hill told the AP. “This is no different than that. All of these women are completely eligible for sponsorships. We’re just asking them to represent Vegas.”
The players were thrilled with the change.
“I’ve always said the city of Vegas is a big, small town and they just want the best for the people here,” guard Chelsea Gray said before the Aces’ home game Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks. “They are investing in us and so they put their money where their mouth is. We did a lot around the city and had fun doing it.
“It was a big moment for me and my teammates, of someone actually investing funds, saying they are behind it and they want to support us.”
According to the website Spotrac, which tracks players’ salaries, the sponsorship is higher than the earnings of six Aces players.
“Definitely more than my salary,” said freshman Kate Martin, who earns $67,249, according to the site. “I’m so grateful. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming, but this is real life and this is what all these players deserve. I wouldn’t get this crazy bonus if it weren’t for the way all these players They’ve played well in recent years.”
The $100,000 is also a huge addition to what even the best players earn. A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum are the highest-paid Aces at $200,000 each, and Gray is close behind at $196,267.
“(For) the LVCVA to see our value and help close that pay gap, that says a lot about the character of the people that are there,” said Alysha Clark, whose salary is listed at $110,000. “So I’m extremely grateful. I’m honored to be able to represent this organization and this city and be able to contribute to the city, give back to this city and contribute to the community, and that’s what they did for us. It was very, very special .”
The issue of WNBA salaries compared to NBA players has received renewed scrutiny after it was revealed Last month, No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark, who has emerged as one of the most popular athletes in America, would earn just over $76,500 in her rookie year with the Indiana Fever, and about $338,000 in her four-year contract. years since she signed.
While the former Iowa State star is expected to earn lucrative endorsement deals as a professional, for comparison’s sake, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in last summer’s NBA draft, earned more than $12 million in salary this season, according to Spotrac.
The issue even prompted an opinion from President Biden, who posted on social media on April 16 that “women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all. But now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, the Sane women haven’t paid their fair share. It’s time we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women get what they deserve.”
The WNBA has made progress in promoting pay equity in recent years. While NBA players collectively receive about 50% of the league’s revenue, WNBA players previously took home less than 23%. But that number jumped to 50% in the latest labor agreement with the league.
– Megan Cerullo contributed to this report.
