What do you think about Shaq’s idea of lowering the rim, like they do for the net in women’s volleyball?
WNBA
- Thread starter Jack Williams
- Start date
What do you think about Shaq’s idea of lowering the rim, like they do for the net in women’s volleyball?
It's not just about P/L. You have to consider the increase in valuations as part of the financial return to owners. Here's some stats.
The average WNBA franchise is now worth $269 million, a 180% increase from 2024, according to Sportico. The collective value of the 13 WNBA teams is now $3.5 billion. The Golden State Valkyries is the most valuable at $500 million, followed by the New York Liberty at $420 million and the Indiana Fever at $335 million
The average WNBA franchise is now worth $269 million, a 180% increase from 2024, according to Sportico. The collective value of the 13 WNBA teams is now $3.5 billion. The Golden State Valkyries is the most valuable at $500 million, followed by the New York Liberty at $420 million and the Indiana Fever at $335 million
PS I don't 'know about the cash reserves and wealth of WNBA owership groups and whether they can effectively and appropriately raise employee wages based upon the ~$180 mill increase in value the average team has seen in the last year or two. But if this is like any other sport any owner who can't afford to pay will likely be bought out by someone who can.
Unless you're the Pirates.
Unless you're the Pirates.
Opposed. To the contrary, I am in favor of raising the rim to 12 feet, widening the court, and pushing the 3 point line back in the NBA. The size and athleticism of today's players has distorted the game to the point where the geometry and teamwork that makes it beautiful has been all but lost. While it is certainly possible to appreciate the talent level on display, my personal preference is closer to the original model.
L J S A
Well-known member
You'd have to raise rims at every level because everyone's shot would be way off if they made the pros. And pro game would be ugly for a generation waiting for everyone to catch up.
True. I could be persuaded to do that at the college level. HS can stay 10 feet.
My other real objection is that we have little kids chucking the ball up at 10 foot rims. Why?? Does nothing to improve their shooting form or anything else. They should have 8 foot rims until at least 5th grade.
PS I don't 'know about the cash reserves and wealth of WNBA owership groups and whether they can effectively and appropriately raise employee wages based upon the ~$180 mill increase in value the average team has seen in the last year or two. But if this is like any other sport any owner who can't afford to pay will likely be bought out by someone who can.
Unless you're the Pirates.
Sorry bad math, it's more like a $125 million increase in value.
they are so stupid just change the theme from pay you what you owe us to pay us what we deserve. Bunch of economics class failures
we've dealt with that as St Johns fans since the 90s
Spocky Ramone
Well-known member
Probably did ok in “Rocks for Jocks”.
They have no idea what it takes to make money just think they deserve to make what the men are making. Hell the men dont deserve what they are making imho. They say they want revenue sharing when what they should be asking for is profit sharing. Give them incentive to cultivate fans and improve the product not just cry like a bunch of spoiled bitches.
Lawman the product is not great and you cannot watch over 10 mins. Missed shots bad rebounding and thuggery abound. I grew up with no blood no foul but blatant punching elbows and scratching is getting carried away
The average salary for WNBA players in 2025 is around $102,249. The league minimum is $66,079, while the maximum is $249,244. The average salary has increased from $102,751 in 2022 and $113,295 in 2023
Caitlin Clark's WNBA salary with the Indiana Fever is approximately $78,066 for the 2025 season. This is part of her four-year rookie contract, which will see her base pay increase to $85,873 in 2026 and conclude at $97,582 in 2027.
John, you are more than a bit off base. No one is talking NBA money. I won't watch either but many are.
Caitlin Clark's WNBA salary with the Indiana Fever is approximately $78,066 for the 2025 season. This is part of her four-year rookie contract, which will see her base pay increase to $85,873 in 2026 and conclude at $97,582 in 2027.
John, you are more than a bit off base. No one is talking NBA money. I won't watch either but many are.
The issue is you are only looking at one part of the income statement. The WNBA is on track to lose 40 million this year. They have never made a profit. The NBA has supplemented them for years and they simply are not supporting themselves. If the league was making money hand over fist ok go pay them. Sorry arenas cost money, security, travel, equipment, support personnel. and for the most part people are not watching or attending so where is the increase in revenue to support their demands. I know I am in the minority, but I believe in the ability of an owner to make some money.
Per the previous post the owners made on average $125 million in the last year in increased valuations for their business while if your figures are correct they lost $3 million in P/L. I'm crying for them. Their children need to eat, the players don't.
Not really sure why you say You are in the minority as I am sure most would believe that someone who invest s tens or hundreds of millions to aquire a professional sports team is entitled to make money.
That’s book wealth only, and as you note the owners are laying out cash to continue to support the league right now. Why should they have to give away more before they know what’s sustainable? What if Clark gets seriously hurt with all the over the top physical play and people decide they don’t want to watch anymore? I’m not too familiar with the metrics, but it seems she is a large part of the growth and the viewership. Players obviously trying to strike while the iron is luke warm. I just think those valuations can drop as quickly as they rose.
I don’t have a side in the argument and don’t watch much if any, just find it very interesting on the business side of things.
As you pointed out , Clark has been hurt this season and missed perhaps half of the Fevers games and the Fever are not having the season they thought they would. If I was a Parent paying out big bucks to take my family to see her play, because as many have pointed out she is the WNBA’s premier attraction , I would not be too pleased and would think twice before I did that again.
you buy a house and your house goes up but your salary stays the same you didn't make money. You're net worth went higher sure. But if your income stayed the same it stayed the same
And I'm not talking about the last year with Clark now that the owners are making more
Valuation cslculation factors are different in every sector, and at best are subjective even when they have an objective basis to calculate them.PS I don't 'know about the cash reserves and wealth of WNBA owership groups and whether they can effectively and appropriately raise employee wages based upon the ~$180 mill increase in value the average team has seen in the last year or two. But if this is like any other sport any owner who can't afford to pay will likely be bought out by someone who can.
Unless you're the Pirates.
So in some industries, it's based on a range of X-Y x EBIDTA. EBIDTA is the most reliable because at least it's on profitability. If the sector is believed to have high growth potential the factor could be higher. So value could be set at 6 times EBIDTA, but if it's a red hot sector could even be 6-10 times revenue.
Valuation puts nothing on your bottom line. It's not realized until a sales transaction. So, using increased valuation as a rationale to increase salaries when franchises are losing money, is not prudent.
Spocky Ramone
Well-known member
Great discussion!
I consulted our Electronic Overlord - WNBA franchise values increased from an average of 96M to 269M in one year (that’s 180% - I think that’s where Austour’s original number came from). That’s impressive - what changed? Obviously Clark has had a major financial impact and will continue to do so, but it’s gambling on future earnings. Will they get the big TV contract? I think that’s what really matters. Fan engagement is also increasing with ticket sales and especially merchandising going up. I also think investors are more willing to wait for a venture to be profitable. Amazon’s core business model of online sales has always been a money loser. They didn’t turn it around until they started streaming and especially launching AWS.
What happens if Clark is Don Mattingly and not Ken Griffey Jr? Those valuations might plummet. Regardless the powers that be in the WNBA need to remind the girls that they might not like losing to her on the court, but they will win big with her off of it.
I think they need to demand a share of the gross. I saw an interview with Linda Carter about her role as Wonder Woman. Her contract gave her a share of the net profits - turns out that creative accounting can turn net profits into zeroes. I wonder if the league is actually taking a $40M annual bath or not…
I consulted our Electronic Overlord - WNBA franchise values increased from an average of 96M to 269M in one year (that’s 180% - I think that’s where Austour’s original number came from). That’s impressive - what changed? Obviously Clark has had a major financial impact and will continue to do so, but it’s gambling on future earnings. Will they get the big TV contract? I think that’s what really matters. Fan engagement is also increasing with ticket sales and especially merchandising going up. I also think investors are more willing to wait for a venture to be profitable. Amazon’s core business model of online sales has always been a money loser. They didn’t turn it around until they started streaming and especially launching AWS.
What happens if Clark is Don Mattingly and not Ken Griffey Jr? Those valuations might plummet. Regardless the powers that be in the WNBA need to remind the girls that they might not like losing to her on the court, but they will win big with her off of it.
I think they need to demand a share of the gross. I saw an interview with Linda Carter about her role as Wonder Woman. Her contract gave her a share of the net profits - turns out that creative accounting can turn net profits into zeroes. I wonder if the league is actually taking a $40M annual bath or not…