Looks like Maya's headin' over to Turkey for $$$...

[Superhuskies]

No more trips for me to see Maya in home blue and white of Valencia-- like 4 months ago- .... she may head to Turkey, Diana's ex-team in Istanbul, Galatasaray Medical Park, I'm told by Valencian pal , for about same reported $1 Million that ex-Valencian teammate Ann Wauters will get there--- Sancho Lyttle is also going there- - whole Valencian team....! and Sylvia Fowles, I think is still with Gala....
Dont know about Alba Torrens or my buddy Epiph, if staying with that team or not..
and Tina C's off to Poland...
I'm going back Valencia regardless.... including this July 7 to 15 ... non-stop from NY via Delta.... now to look for a hotel, as friends will be out of town .....but can visit they in nearby Cullera, 40 miles south, "beach house, " on Mediterranean....

 

[Wonkster]

.
Wow! Talk about having the inside track on Euro WBB news!

Hope Maya can bring her own blood test technician along.

 

[Vowelguy]

Why/how is Women's BB so popular there to yield those $$$ salaries?

 

[ochoopsfan]

Why/how is Women's BB so popular there to yield those $$$ salaries?

I would love to know that too. Who owns the teams, how can they pay the $$ they do, are their tv contracts with $$. I am guessing that the best league top to bottom is the WNBA, then why are the big $$ in Turkey, Russia, and elsewhere.

Anyone have any facts or even speculation?

 

[VAMike23]

Why/how is Women's BB so popular there to yield those $$$ salaries?

I imagine it's similar to Russia where the payroll is dependent on the owners' largesse , not the gate receipts or other revs as much. And Spain has gotten very messy economically lately - some of these guys may need to protect assets pronto and leave the vanity plays for another day. hence pulling the plug. just my conjecture

 

[Superhuskies]

my pal Francisco in Valencia says Diana's newest team UMMC Ekaterinaburg, has a $20 million payroll, and a private team plane-- says the Madrid Rivas team, including Asjha J., (still, I think) and Salamanca have $2 mill payrolls.. now the most in Spain.....

 

[MilfordHusky]

I knew 6 years ago that I should have been Maya's agent.

 

[Scotter]

It has nothing to do with popularity. Remember there is nothing even closely comparable to college athletics in Europe. Think about all of the salaries for coaches of college sports that generate basically no revenue whether they are men's or women's sports. Or even the vast majority of football programs that generate revenue, but still operate at a deficit. There is all this government subdized money in college athletics. In Europe since there are no college athletics professional clubs receive those tax breaks and subsidies instead. And return they provide youth club teams in a variety of sports as well as professional club teams in a variety of sports for both men and women. It's an amalgamation of American college and professional sports. And every country has slightly different rules. In Russia you have individual billionaires willing to poor money in at a loss. In Mediterranean countries it tends to be driven more by tax breaks and subsidies, and those clubs more typically aren't owned by a single individual.

And in Europe there is no anti-trust exemption for professional sports so there is basically a free labor market when it comes to player movement and salaries. No draft, salary cap, or individual salary limits, and typically no players union. Throw in some wealthy owners willing to operate at a deficit and you have million dollar salaries. Take away the salary restrictions in the WNBA and you would likely have the same thing as a few owners willing to spend competed for elite talent on an open market.

Why/how is Women's BB so popular there to yield those $$$ salaries?

 

[Superhuskies]

It has nothing to do with popularity. Remember there is nothing even closely comparable to college athletics in Europe. Think about all of the salaries for coaches of college sports that generate basically no revenue whether they are men's or women's sports. Or even the vast majority of football programs that generate revenue, but still operate at a deficit. There is all this government subdized money in college athletics. In Europe since there are no college athletics professional clubs receive those tax breaks and subsidies instead. And return they provide youth club teams in a variety of sports as well as professional club teams in a variety of sports for both men and women. It's an amalgamation of American college and professional sports. And every country has slightly different rules. In Russia you have individual billionaires willing to poor money in at a loss. In Mediterranean countries it tends to be driven more by tax breaks and subsidies, and those clubs more typically aren't owned by a single individual.

And in Europe there is no anti-trust exemption for professional sports so there is basically a free labor market when it comes to player movement and salaries. No draft, salary cap, or individual salary limits, and typically no players union. Throw in some wealthy owners willing to operate at a deficit and you have million dollar salaries. Take away the salary restrictions in the WNBA and you would likely have the same thing as a few owners willing to spend competed for elite talent on an open market.

 

[Superhuskies]

I was shocked to see only 1000-1500 fans in Valencia for the Feb 1 diana + tina+ epiph Turkish team vs Maya and super Valencia team- that won everything- Two of best teams in world --- and the 7 foot aussie Valencia men's player sitting next me in front row, said Valencia men get 6000-7000 fans per game... and there was no womens store, just two folding.... tables.... with Ros Casares scarves..... mens 20 x 20 ft store was loaded with stuff.........
I sort of got the feeling ... that in ...still "old-fashioned, chauvinistic " Spain... that possibly women's game there was ...... a freak show ??? I can't imagine Mr. Franco allowing women to play hoops,... even in the 70's .... ..... will have to check out that history....