Do they really "need" to play... overseas? | The Boneyard

Do they really "need" to play... overseas?

DaddyChoc

DaddyChoc

Choc Full of UConn
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50k-120k isnt enough to live off in the USA... along with a little side gig during the WNBA off-season. Why must they play elsewhere when not playing in the W?
 
In the words of bank robber Willie Sutton, that’s where the money is.

A couple of years ago, DT sat out the WNBA season, not her Russian season.

Calling it a “little side gig” is not really accurate. Most players make substantially more overseas. That’s the dilemma the WNBA currently faces.
 
Huskee11 said:
In the words of bank robber Willie Sutton, that’s where the money is.

A couple of years ago, DT sat out the WNBA season, not her Russian season.

Calling it a “little side gig” is not really accurate. Most players make substantially more overseas. That’s the dilemma the WNBA currently faces.
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I don't think the OP is defining a "little side gig" as a basketball gig but some off season non basketball type of job.
 
DaddyChoc said:
50k-120k isnt enough to live off in the USA... along with a little side gig during the WNBA off-season. Why must they play elsewhere when not playing in the W?
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If they want to maximize their earning potential, as basketball players, then yes, they do.
They have maybe 10 years to earn as much as possible, as basketball players, then they'll probably join the job market, with the rest of us.
They could live off of what they earn from the WNBA alone during those 10 years, but what a missed earning opportunity that would be.
 
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rvwsleep said:
If they want to maximize their earning potential, as basketball players, then yes, they do.
They have maybe 10 years to earn as much as possible, as basketball players, then they'll probably join the job market, with the rest of us.
They could live off of what they earn from the WNBA alone during those 10 years, but what a missed earning opportunity that would be.
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ok... so is there really a true argument about being paid more in the W?
 
eebmg said:
I don't think the OP is defining a "little side gig" as a basketball gig but some off season non basketball type of job.
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right... Lebron's NBA season is over, should he now go to Europe to earn as much as he can before it all ends?
 
eebmg said:
I don't think the OP is defining a "little side gig" as a basketball gig but some off season non basketball type of job.
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Ok, got it. It only seems like they are all announcing for ESPN. A brief check shows that some who stay home run - guess what - basketball camps. Others show some foresight and intern for a future career. Others participate in get out the vote efforts. One has a food truck.

They are leaving money on the table - quality of life thing - which is fine, of course, personal choice. Unfortunately we see from Stewie and others that year round play is risky. Imagine a major league pitcher playing year round. I know some baseball players play in winter leagues but doubt any pitchers do since they need time to rest and recover. But again, the financial incentive for women basketball players is to pass on the WNBA season, given the choice.

Richie Hebner played for the Pirates in the seventies. His nickname was “Digger” because he dug graves in the off-season. Before big money in baseball.
 
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DeeHusky said:
Diana Taurasi sat out for 1 Million in 1 overseas season. You would’ve given up that?
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If I recall correctly her Russian team paid her WNBA salary of $107K I think for her to sit out that season and save her energy for their league and the million or so they were paying.
 
DaddyChoc said:
..... Why must they play elsewhere when not playing in the W?
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The more fundamental question - is WHO defines "need"? I certainly don't "need" some of the stuff that others absolutely must have and there are other things that I "need" that they couldn't care less about. So who are we to decide their "needs"?
 
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rvwsleep said:
If they want to maximize their earning potential, as basketball players, then yes, they do.
They have maybe 10 years to earn as much as possible, as basketball players, then they'll probably join the job market, with the rest of us.
They could live off of what they earn from the WNBA alone during those 10 years, but what a missed earning opportunity that would be.
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If you could make several times more money playing a game for 10-15 years vs. working at some regular jobs between WNBA seasons, setting yourself up financially for life if you're smart with your money, what would you do?
 
It's the W that's redundent.
Players participate in a near charitable situation.
Sure the league's finances are not great...still, in Europe, there are a lot of half-empty houses.
But folks with bread, still think that they should pay the gals a competitive wage.

Forgetting quality...players should think of the W as a minor league and after they showcase their skills enough...play the Europe/Asia circuit and skip the W (or play the last third of the season).

At some point, the powers in charge will figure out the problem...just like the Chicago Symphony board did yesterday with a little prodding by the mayor.
 
The exact numbers very by player, but Diana reportedly earns the WNBA max of $115K or so (plus modest bonuses) in Phoenix and roughly $1,000,000 when she played in Russia. The average player probably earns 2-8x as much overseas as they do in the U.S. As Huskee11 said, it's the old Willie Sutton line.
 
DaddyChoc said:
right... Lebron's NBA season is over, should he now go to Europe to earn as much as he can before it all ends?
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LaBron makes multi millions playing hoops and mucho in endorsements. These women would stay home if being paid the same or even a quarter of the same crazy money.
 
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DEpup said:
Your world must not be a major city where these teams are located with much higher costs of living than rural America
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50000 for months work is not charitable no matter where you live and Norwich is not a major city
 
DEpup said:
This could be the most misogynistic thread I've ever seen. The wnba pays no where near enough for a professional athlete and all that comes with it. I don't even want to waste typing on the comparison to nba salaries. Its sad but yes they do have to work overseas to cobble together a real income. I believe this sexist thread should be locked by the moderator.
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I don’t see how this is a “sexist” thread; it’s merely pointing out the idea that players do not have to play overseas if they don’t desire to. As many have pointed out, players choose to cash in overseas because the WNBA is not paying them their full earning potential like the NBA does, but as also has been pointed out, the WNBA is not a financial juggernaut like the NBA.

DEpup said:
Your world must not be a major city where these teams are located with much higher costs of living than rural America
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“During the Regular Season and playoffs, players will be provided with the following options with respect to housing in the home cities of their WNBA Teams: (i) staying in housing provided by the Team, or (ii) receiving a monthly housing stipend equal to the average monthly cost of a furnished one bedroom apartment in the market where the Team plays its home games, as determined by data published by the local chamber of commerce (or similar organization) in each such market. Neither the WNBA nor any Team may impose restrictions as to who may visit players in the housing referred to in this Section 1(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall excuse a player from complying with any reasonable training rules promulgated by the WNBA or a Team or with any reasonable occupancy regulations established by the owners or lessors (or their designees) of such housing. Any player who elects to stay in housing provided by the Team may, upon reasonable advance notice and subject to availability, elect to upgrade her unit to a larger unit, provided that such player shall pay to the Team the difference between the cost of the Team-provided housing and the larger unit.”
-According to their current CBA. This illustrates that they do NOT have to pay for their apartment unless they would like to upgrade, in which case they still get a stipend on top of their salary towards housing.
 
DEpup said:
The wnba pays no where near enough for a professional athlete and all that comes with it.
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Actually they are paying too much if half of their teams are losing money and they still need financial assistance from the NBA.

DEpup said:
I don't even want to waste typing on the comparison to nba salaries.
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Good, since the NBA and WNBA have nothing in common as far as being businesses.

DEpup said:
Its sad but yes they do have to work overseas to cobble together a real income.
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Why? Our best men's cyclists, volleyball players, soccer players, track and field participants and others all earn their salaries playing overseas. If Europe and Asia want to subsidize women's basketball that is their choice.

DEpup said:
This could be the most misogynistic thread I've ever seen.
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Really? You must not get around very much.
 
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