The WNBA is investigating whether the Las Vegas Tourism Association’s $100,000 annual sponsorship of the Aces this season and next should be approved.
A league spokesperson confirmed Saturday that a public investigation is underway into the deal. The sponsorship does not violate the WNBA’s salary cap because Las Vegas officials did not work with the club on the sponsorship. But other teams likely questioned the fairness of the sponsorship and whether it violated the spirit of the cap rule.
Ace coach Becky Hammon said, “Let’s put it very simply: Most sponsorship people are aiming for the top two.” “As far as I understand, this situation is that they wanted the whole team. They called individual agents. I don’t know the details. I don’t know what that means. No relation. Ace had nothing to do with it. That’s what happened. “
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon speaks with Jackie Young during the first quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena on May 18, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Sparks 89-82.Getty Images
This isn’t the first time the Aces have faced off against 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. This is because the franchise violated league rules regarding player benefits and workplace policies.
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Star player Aja Wilson said, “It’s just another day in an ace’s life. You can’t start living a normal life.” “Something’s always going to happen and that’s okay. When you’re talking about growing the game and taking the next step, you can’t always explore that. I feel like we’re trying to make things better for the franchise. Must be players for the team.”
The heads of the authorities feel that they have done nothing wrong.
“We did this the right way,” Steve Hill, the authority’s president and CEO, told The Associated Press on Saturday. “We did what we thought worked for Las Vegas and I think it’s great for the players as well. We did this without a team. It was our idea and if they ask You’ll understand.”
Officials posted a video on Friday to X of Hill breaking the news to players in the locker room.
“There are 100 influencers who are paid to represent Las Vegas,” Hill told The Associated Press. “This is no different than that. All of these women are fully eligible for sponsorship. We’re just asking them to represent Las Vegas.”
The players were excited about this move.
“I’ve always said, Las Vegas is a big, small town and they just want the best for the people here,” point guard Chelsea Gray said before Saturday’s home game between the Aces and the Los Angeles Sparks. he said. “They’re putting their money where their mouth is because they’re investing in us. We’ve done a lot for the city and we’ve enjoyed it.
“It was a great moment for me and my teammates to have someone actually fund it and say they support us and want to cheer us on.”
According to Spotrac, a website that tracks player salaries, sponsorships are more than the incomes of six ace players.
“Definitely more than my salary,” said newcomer Kate Martin, who earns $67,249 a year, according to the website. “I’m so grateful. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s not a dream, but this is very real and all of these players deserve it. If I had, I wouldn’t have gotten this crazy bonus.” That’s how great all of these players have played over the last few years. ”
$100,000 is a huge addition to what top players earn. A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plumb are the highest paid aces at $200,000 each, followed by Gray at $196,267.
“Whether LVCVA understands our values and helps us close that pay gap says a lot about the character of the people there,” said Alisha Clark, whose salary is listed at $110,000. said. “So, I’m very grateful. It’s an honor to represent this organization and this city, to work for this city, to give back to this city, to serve the community. That’s what they do for us. That was really, really special. ”
The issue of WNBA salaries compared to those of NBA players comes after it was revealed last month that Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick who has emerged as one of the most popular athletes in the country, will earn a rookie salary of just over $76,500. As a result, it is once again attracting attention. She spent one year with the Indiana Fever, and the four-year contract she signed was worth about $338,000.
The former Iowa State star is expected to earn a big sponsorship deal as a pro, but for comparison, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembaneyama, the No. 1 pick in last summer’s NBA draft, will earn 12 million this season. It is said that he earned an annual salary of more than $1,000. spot rack.
The issue prompted President Biden to weigh in, and on April 16, he posted on social media, “Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and continue to inspire us all. But now we are seeing that even the best athletes are not women. Where our fair share is not being paid is when it comes to ensuring that daughters have the same opportunities as sons and that women are paid the compensation they deserve. ”
The WNBA has made strides in promoting pay equity in recent years. NBA players collectively receive about 50% of league revenue, while WNBA players previously received less than 23%. But under the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement, that number jumped to 50%.
—Megan Cerullo contributed to this report.
