Shaq Urges Public To ‘Buy Jerseys’ & ‘Show Up To Games’ Following Outrage Over Leaked WNBA Rookies’ Salaries

Shaq Urges Public To ‘Buy Jerseys’ & ‘Show Up To Games’ Following Outrage Over Leaked WNBA Rookies’ Salaries

Basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal recently spoke about the rising fanfare surrounding the WNBA and the pay gap between men and women players.

The Lakers legend expressed his excitement that the league is receiving more notoriety and shared how fans can directly affect women’s basketball stars’ ability to earn more money.

Shaq

Shaquille O’Neal spoke about the topic during a recent promotional interview where he stated:

“This was the first time in my career that I woke up and wanted to watch women and not really care about the men,”

Going on to share his thoughts about the leaked salaries of several rookie players, Shaquille O’Neal continued:

“I saw the young ladies’ salaries leaked online and people are in an uproar. It’s now time for people to start supporting the women like they support the men.”

College basketball star #CaitlinClark's fans are shocked she'll earn just under $77,000 salary in her rookie #WNBA season, while the top male #NBA draft pick will make more than $10 million. Is Clark's pay fair? I argue both sides in the latest #OTOH.. https://t.co/ERxotvgb0p

— Jon Fortt (@jonfortt) April 18, 2024

In case you’re unfamiliar, social media users have been expressing their shock following the recent WNBA draft as many apparently weren’t aware that women basketball players are paid significantly less than their male counterparts in the NBA. Specifically, #1 draft pick Caitlin Clark’s salary reportedly leaked, alleging she’ll only earn $338,056 over four years while the NBA #1 draft pick will reportedly earn $55 million with his four-year contract. Collectively, WNBA rookies reportedly earn less than 1% of NBA rookies, with the latter’s contract averaging nearly $10 million annually.

As O’Neal went on to explain, however, breakout athletes like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese bringing more attention to the league is precisely how they’ll eventually be able to earn more income. Explaining exactly how fans can support the women’s efforts, O’Neal added:

“It’s all about the economics. We can pay our guys these crazy contracts because we generate a lot of money. So now that there’s excitement behind Caitlin [Clark] and Angel [Reese], make sure you go and support them.” 

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese

He continued:

[VIA]