From the Same House, Still Unequal: The NBA's Role in Sustaining Pay Disparities in Women's Basketball
by nxus Editor, Ashley Mozingo, MBA (IG @coachmozingo)
As we celebrate visibility stamp of the WNBA with the volume turned up, there remains a glaring silence when it comes to the economic inequities faced by women athletes. The NBA and WNBA share a roof, a legacy, and an audience — but not resources, not opportunity, and certainly not equity. It’s time we name what this is: intentional wealth withholding.
The WNBA was created in 1996 as the women’s counterpart to the NBA, designed to uplift women athletes and provide a legitimate professional league. Yet nearly three decades later, WNBA players continue to face disproportionate salaries, subpar facilities, and inequitable treatment compared to their NBA counterparts. And this isn't because the talent is lacking — it's because the commitment is. The NBA treated it as a brand extension than an equal league.
How the NBA Is Complicit
The NBA owns 60% of the WNBA, making it a majority stakeholder. With that ownership comes power, and with power comes responsibility. Yet instead of using its influence to push for equitable investment, better media coverage, and fair wages, the NBA has largely allowed the WNBA to operate under constrained conditions.
The NBA would never tolerate its players flying commercial, recovering without elite medical staff, or earning base salaries that barely scratch six figures. So why is it acceptable for the WNBA?
The Illusion of "Revenue-Based" Pay
One of the most common arguments against pay equity is that the WNBA doesn't generate enough revenue. But that argument falls apart when you consider how underfunded, under-marketed, and underexposed the league has been.
Unlike its male counterpart, the WNBA has historically been sidelined when it comes to media exposure, broadcast deals, and cultural marketing investments. This lack of visibility translated into fewer sponsorship opportunities, slower fanbase development, and ultimately, lower revenue — creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that women’s sports aren’t profitable. But the truth is, the problem was never the product; it was the platform. As recent surges in viewership and fan engagement show, when players like Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu are given the spotlight, audiences respond. Fans were never disinterested — they were simply never given the chance to truly connect.
A’ja Wilson wore a shirt in 2020 that said “Put Women’s Sports on TV”—HELLO?! RING THE ALARM! The NBA has every means to amplify the WNBA's visibility, yet it chooses caution over commitment.
Salary Comparison: WNBA vs. NBA (2025 Season)
Even more troubling is the revenue-sharing disparity: NBA players receive roughly 50% of league revenue. WNBA players? Around 10%. It’s not just a gap. It’s a message.
WNBA:
Average Base Salary: Approximately $102,249.
Rookie Salaries: Top draft picks, like earn between $76,535 and $78,831 in their first year.
Maximum Base Salary: The highest-paid players, earn around $249,244 annually. (Via NPR)
NBA:
Average Salary: Approximately $11.9 million.
Minimum Salary: $1.16 million.
Top Salaries: Superstars like Stephen Curry will earn $55.76 million in the 2024–25 season. (Via statista)
The Emotional and Physical Toll
Because WNBA salaries are so low, many players are forced to compete overseas during the off-season to supplement their income. This leads to overuse injuries, lack of recovery, and dangerous geopolitical risks. If these players are part of the same basketball family, why are they being sent into harm’s way just to survive?
A Culture of Expectation, Without Support
Despite the pay gap, the expectations placed on WNBA athletes remain sky-high. They are expected to deliver elite performances, maintain social media presence, advocate for social justice, and grow the league — all while being undervalued and underpaid.
They do this because they love the game and because they believe in their communities.
The Time Is Now
The NBA can no longer claim the role of a passive partner. Silence and inaction are choices, and those choices sustain inequity. If the league truly believes in its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the future of basketball, it must reinvest in the women it has long overlooked.
Pay equity, travel parity, and facility access are not luxuries; they are essential. Like, what are we talking about? They are the bare minimum, and the NBA should be absolutely ashamed of how they’ve treated their pro athlete peers.
Photo from Instagram WNBA
As someone drawn to study systems, behavior, and the patterns that shape culture, I’ve seen one truth repeat itself across centuries: inequity is rarely accidental. It’s embedded, inherited, and often maintained — not by the absence of resources, but by the absence of will.
To the readers:
If you’ve ever cheered for a buzzer-beater, worn your favorite team’s jersey with pride, or felt inspired by the power of sport, you have a role to play in equity. Visibility is currency. Share the stories. Buy the merch. Show up. Your voice adds pressure.
To the NBA:
You’ve been the blueprint for global sports dominance. You know how to build dynasties, elevate stars, and create loyalty that spans generations. You could do the same for the WNBA, if you truly wanted to. Withholding isn’t passive. It’s policy. Policies can be rewritten.
To the athletes of the WNBA:
You’ve carried the weight of excellence without the reward of equity. You’ve been cultural vanguards, role models, and warriors for your craft in a system not built to celebrate you. You are competitors, you are cultural architects. You are teaching young athletes what’s possible, and showing grown folks what integrity under pressure looks like.
📚 Further Reading & Resources
Books
“Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men” by Caroline Criado Perez
“Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot” by Mikki Kendall
Podcasts
Burn It All Down – A feminist sports podcast that discusses gender, race, and equity in sports.
Tea with A & Phee – Hosted by WNBA stars A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier. Real talk about life, basketball, and everything in between.
The Long Game – Explores how sports intersect with politics, gender, and social justice.
Organizations to Follow & Support
Athlete Ally – Advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion and gender equity in sports.
Black Women’s Player Collective – Centering Black women athletes and fighting for equity on and off the field.
