McAfee Takes Stand After WNBA All-Star Protest
The biggest talking point from this year’s WNBA All-Star weekend wasn’t just what happened on the court, it was the message sent off it. Players showed up wearing shirts that read, “Pay us what you owe us,” aiming squarely at the league’s salary structure.
That protest sparked a wave of debates online, including some harsh takes from fans who pointed out that the WNBA has reportedly operated at a $40 million loss and has never turned a profit. But Pat McAfee, the outspoken host and former NFL punter, made it clear where he stands, firmly with the players.
“If we’re already losing $40 million, could you not just bump [the players’ salaries] up to at least six figures?” McAfee said on his show. “$70,000 as a paycheck is a very, that’s an embarrassment. Especially for Caitlin Clark and all these people in professional sports.”
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Caitlin Clark Making $78K? McAfee Says ‘Do Better’
McAfee’s rant zeroed in on Clark, whose $78,066 base salary barely reflects her status as the league’s biggest draw. While the rookie from Indiana Fever pulls in millions through endorsements, her WNBA paycheck is far from elite athlete status.
“Add $30,000 to each player and you’d only add $4.6 million. There has to be $4 million somewhere in the system to give these women more,” McAfee added.
Still, the real issue might go deeper than base pay. WNBA players currently receive just 9.3% of league revenue, while NBA players enjoy nearly 50%. That’s the core of the union’s ongoing collective bargaining fight.
It’ll be interesting to see how WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert responds when she joins McAfee’s show. One thing’s clear: the players aren’t backing down, and neither is Pat.
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