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WNBA players have finally been getting the recognition they deserve, thanks to several of the league’s current rookies, including Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and Cameron Brink.
Following the 2024 draft, where the players mentioned above were selected first, second, and seventh overall, their contracts, which all included a salary just above $73,000, became public domain.
Longtime fans and new basketball watchers all chimed in, slamming the league for paying its athletes a small portion of what their male counterparts in the NBA receive.
However, during a new interview with “Richer Lives,” Cameron Brink revealed that she didn’t see a negative with her contract. In fact, she’s proud of the “good money” she earns as a basketball player in the W.
Cameron Brink Says She Doesn’t Take Her WNBA Salary ‘For Granted’ Because It’s ‘Good Money’
The pay disparity between men and women basketball players has been well-documented and spoken about, especially after the amount of new eyes Brink and her fellow rookies have brought to the WNBA.
However, during a conversation on the “Richer Lives with SoFi” podcast, Brink revealed she doesn’t let the negative comments about the amount of money she makes bother her.
“I do not take that money for granted,” Brink said. “That is good money. That is a salary that we work very hard for.”
Cameron Brink Says The WNBA Will ‘Never’ Be On The Same Level As The NBA
Elsewhere during the podcast, Brink, who played 15 games her rookie season for the Los Angeles Sparks before suffering a season-ending ACL injury, admitted that she’d like to see her paycheck get bigger. However, she doesn’t believe it’ll happen any time soon.
“Realistically, we’re never probably going to get where the NBA is,” she said. “Maybe in 20 years, 30, 35 years. As women, we have to work so hard for the money we do make. I do think that we could get to the same level, but it’s going to take a while.”
Fans Are Slamming Cameron Brink For Her ‘Privileged’ Remarks About Money
Once Brink’s comments were shared in the WNBA subreddit online, many basketball watchers chimed in to share their thoughts on the 23-year-old’s statements.
One user shared a lengthy reply, slamming the Stanford grad for reciting her “privileged take” over money.
Another commenter agreed, writing, “This is nice and all, but she came from a privileged upbringing. Her dad is a former Nike executive, and for a while, her mom also worked for Nike.”
Someone else also pointed out that Brink’s sponsorships, specifically with New Balance, likely generate extra money for the baller that others in the league don’t have.
“I doubt if she only had that $70K she’d feel the same,” they said.
A few users also defended her, with one calling her a “super smart woman” who “always says the right sh-t.”
Another user shared how refreshing it was to see a player be “grateful” for their opportunities “rather than complaining.”
“Most people in the US would kill for a summer gig making $76K in [four] months to play a sport they love,” they wrote.
Clark’s Agent Doesn’t Think She’ll Ever Be Paid What She’s Worth
On the topic of WNBA salaries, Clark’s agent, Erin Kane, recently discussed their client’s value in the league with EPSN and revealed a bold statement about the association as a whole.
“Will Caitlin Clark ever be paid by the WNBA what she’s really worth to that league? I don’t think that’s possible,” Kane said.
“She’s part of a larger player body. They all need to be paid more. [However,] she should be recognized for what she has done and what she’s brought to the league from an economic standpoint,” they continued. “It’s as simple as that.”
WNBA Players’ Union Opt Out Of Contract
There’s a chance the WNBA and its players could see a massive change to their contracts by the end of 2025.
In October 2024, the WNBA players’ union announced that its members would opt out of their current collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which expires at the end of the 2025 season.
The new eyes, record-breaking attendance numbers, and engagement on social media have brought the league much attention and even secured them new distribution deals with Prime Video, Disney, and NBCUniversal.
Consequently, many players in the league feel the time for change has arrived.
“This is a defining moment, not just for the WNBA, but for all of us who believe in progress,” union president Nneka Ogwumike said in a statement. “The world has evolved since 2020, and we cannot afford to stand still. If we stay in the current agreement, we fall behind.”
