First, let's talk about making "more" rather than "enough." Plenty of us live all year on what WNBAers make in 3.5 months. (and we don't get per d's, housing allowances etc.)
So, making "more" would require extending the season.....which means a lot of things would have to happen to the popularity of the game, in particular, people being willing to pay higher ticket prices.... Remember what happened with UConn fans and ticket prices?
Anyone know what non-Americans make playing bball?
Well ... the average salary in the WNBA is $72,000 which is certainly a living wage, but the league minimum is $35,000 which is not a lot of money. Add in that these folks unlike most people have agents who take 10% and if they want to continue playing in the WNBA and are not going to play overseas need to both maintain their fitness and hone their skills during the 8.5 months they are not with their team - which means access to both basketball courts and trainers who also need to be paid. On top of that, they realize they are honing their craft for a job that has an expiration date.
EDD is obviously not making the minimum and no doubt gets some serious endorsement deals as well, but she more than others with her medical history can probably hear the clock ticking a little louder than others.
I don't feel sorry for these players - they are working at something they love. But I do not exactly envy their lifestyle. In comparison to men's professional athletes they are very poorly compensated, in comparison to women's tennis players or golfers, they are very poorly compensated, and yet they are in training the same 12 months a year whether they play just the WNBA season or also overseas.