Barstool Founder Doubles Down on WNBA Support
Dave Portnoy isn’t holding back. The Barstool Sports founder took aim at critics of WNBA player salaries after a record-setting $325 million deal to acquire the Connecticut Sun.
Portnoy, who’s been vocal about players deserving higher pay, called out his online critics, writing on X:
“All the morons who said the WNBA players don’t deserve more money look like absolute morons. 325 million for the franchise!”
His comment followed news that a group led by Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca reached a historic agreement to buy the Sun, with plans to relocate the team in 2027.
Surging Valuations Fuel Pay Conversation
The WNBA’s recent rise in franchise valuations supports Portnoy’s case. Just last year, teams were selling for $50 million. Now, new expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia are reportedly paying $250 million each to join the league.
Add to that a $2.2 billion media rights deal and viewership numbers climbing from 205,000 in 2020 to over 1.2 million. So the argument for better player pay gains serious weight.
Players Want Fair Revenue Share
Furthermore, Players like Kelsey Plum have clarified that they’re not asking to be paid like NBA stars. But for a fair share of revenue.
“We’re asking just the same percentage of revenue or a similar percentage… and right now, that’s not the case,” Plum said on the All the Smoke podcast.
Despite generating $200 million in revenue last season, WNBA players reportedly receive around 10%, compared to the 50% NBA players get.
With the current CBA set to expire after 2025, Portnoy’s comments and the record-breaking sale may help push the needle in favor of the players.
