When Angel Reese signed with the Chicago Sky as the 7th overall pick In the 2024 WNBA Draft, she was entering a very different league than she was just five years ago. The salary landscape has changed dramatically – but let’s be realistic about whether these changes are truly transformative or just incremental steps toward what these athletes deserve.

The raw numbers tell a story of progress. The 2024 WNBA season features the highest salaries in league historywith top players eligible to win up to $241,984. Supermax salary has increased 94% since 2019, when the league’s elite players reached $121,500. Even minimum wage for beginners got up at $64,154, more than double what it was in 2019. But here’s where things get complicated. While the WNBA salary cap hits $1.4 million by team in 2024, NBA salary cap rises to $140 million. Yes, you read that correctly. And before anyone makes the “but revenue” argument, let’s recognize that even accounting for revenue differences between leagues, WNBA players receive about 33% of league revenue, while players in the NBA receives about 50%.

For most WNBA players, to make it work, you have to play all year. According to the AP, around 50% of players also compete overseas during the WNBA offseason. Stars like Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson may command top dollar in both markets, but that double duty comes at a cost: physical wear and tear, time away from family, and the mental strain of never truly having off-season.

Marketing dollars tell a different story. That of the league Collective agreement 2020 included provisions for increased marketing opportunities, but as of 2023, only a handful of players have struck deals with major brands. In the meantime, Caitlin Clark’s NIL Valuation Hits $3.1 Million before even entering the WNBA draft — highlighting both the potential and the disparity in how women’s basketball talent is valued.

What is particularly striking are the racial dynamics at play. In a league where more than 60% of players are black womenthe conversation about fair pay is not just about gender, but also about racial equity in sports. When we talk about WNBA salaries, we talk about the undervaluing of Black women’s work, a story that resonates far beyond the basketball court.

The league has made progress in the right direction. The new collective agreement introduced progressive elements such as fully paid maternity leave, improved travel accommodations and potential revenue sharing opportunities. These changes came after years of player activism, led by women like Angel McCoughtry and Nneka Ogwumike, who were not afraid to demand better.

But let’s be clear: better than before does not mean good enough. When the WNBA minimum salary barely exceeds the median income of American householdswe’re not just talking about a gender pay gap – we’re talking about the fundamental devaluation of women’s professional sports.

The question is not whether WNBA players should be grateful for these raises. The question is why, in 2024, we still need to justify fair compensation for professional athletes who consistently deliver world-class performances, drive cultural conversations, and inspire the next generation of players.

Salary increases are a start, not a finish line. As viewership continues to climb – the 2024 WNBA Finals saw a 115% increase in viewers compared to the previous year – the momentum for real change is building. The numbers are growing, sure, but until they reflect the true value these athletes bring to the game, our work is not done.