‘Switch body parts’ – Aj’a Wilson’s brutal verdict on WNBA challenges versus NBA despite $53million record-breaking Caitlin Clark effect
The WNBA has never been more popular. However, Aj’a Wilson is a realist. Wilson is arguably the WNBA’s best playerGetty The Las Vegas Aces superstar knows that in all likelihood their salaries will never match those of their counterparts in the NBA. Despite the record-breaking ratings, attendance, merchandise sales, Wilson understands that many things would have to change in order to be on equal footing with their male colleagues. But things are at least trending in a positive direction. The WNBA brought in over $200million in revenue in 2024. A lot of that can be credited to Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, who is arguably the biggest draw in the sport. In men’s or women’s. According to Ryan Brewer, an associate professor of finance at Indiana University Columbus, Clark was responsible for 26.5 per cent of the WNBA’s $200m revenue pot. That is $53m. Clark’s rookie salary was a measly $76,535. StubHub reported that the WNBA’s ticket sales were up 93 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023. Clark has brought millions of eyeballs to the women’s gameGetty The Fever alone saw a 1,300 per cent increase in ticket sales compared to the previous season. In addition to the record-setting ticket sales. it was also the most-viewed WNBA Finals in 25 years, up 115 per cent from 2023 and the most-viewed regular season ever, up a whopping 170 per cent from 2023. The WNBA has never been more prominent. In an interview with TIME magazine, Wilson was asked what would it take for there to be true equity between WNBA and NBA? “A lot,2 Wilson said plainly. “We would have to switch body parts. The players in the NBA have always been local and supportive when it comes to their sister leagueGetty “I’ve seen a lot of comments like, ‘Oh, your sport doesn’t matter.’ “And I’m like, ‘but you’re a basketball fan. That doesn’t make sense to me.’ “For us to get a little equity in that sense, realistically, it will take a shift of the world. “It will take a shift of society to understand that we are all, both leagues, great at what we do. “We can’t worry about constantly having to work to be equal. “We’re gonna do it with what we have now and showcase why we are the greatest. “Yeah, I would love for my bank account to look like an NBA player’s, but realistically, will it ever get there? I don’t know. “But what I do know is what I got now and how I can continue just to spread that out to young girls, so then when they get up and want to play in the W, maybe the accounts will look the same.” Wilson kept it real. She loves what she does and she’s happy doing it. Whether or not the dollar signs will ever reflect that, remains to be seen. But now with the addition of Clark, never say never.
The WNBA has never been more popular.
However, Aj’a Wilson is a realist.
The Las Vegas Aces superstar knows that in all likelihood their salaries will never match those of their counterparts in the NBA.
Despite the record-breaking ratings, attendance, merchandise sales, Wilson understands that many things would have to change in order to be on equal footing with their male colleagues.
But things are at least trending in a positive direction.
The WNBA brought in over $200million in revenue in 2024.
A lot of that can be credited to Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, who is arguably the biggest draw in the sport.
In men’s or women’s.
According to Ryan Brewer, an associate professor of finance at Indiana University Columbus, Clark was responsible for 26.5 per cent of the WNBA’s $200m revenue pot.
That is $53m.
Clark’s rookie salary was a measly $76,535.
StubHub reported that the WNBA’s ticket sales were up 93 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023.
The Fever alone saw a 1,300 per cent increase in ticket sales compared to the previous season.
In addition to the record-setting ticket sales. it was also the most-viewed WNBA Finals in 25 years, up 115 per cent from 2023 and the most-viewed regular season ever, up a whopping 170 per cent from 2023.
The WNBA has never been more prominent.
In an interview with TIME magazine, Wilson was asked what would it take for there to be true equity between WNBA and NBA?
“A lot,2 Wilson said plainly.
“We would have to switch body parts.
“I’ve seen a lot of comments like, ‘Oh, your sport doesn’t matter.’
“And I’m like, ‘but you’re a basketball fan. That doesn’t make sense to me.’
“For us to get a little equity in that sense, realistically, it will take a shift of the world.
“It will take a shift of society to understand that we are all, both leagues, great at what we do.
“We can’t worry about constantly having to work to be equal.
“We’re gonna do it with what we have now and showcase why we are the greatest.
“Yeah, I would love for my bank account to look like an NBA player’s, but realistically, will it ever get there? I don’t know.
“But what I do know is what I got now and how I can continue just to spread that out to young girls, so then when they get up and want to play in the W, maybe the accounts will look the same.”
Wilson kept it real.
She loves what she does and she’s happy doing it.
Whether or not the dollar signs will ever reflect that, remains to be seen.
But now with the addition of Clark, never say never.
