Indiana University partners with the WNBPA to offer MBA programs for WNBA players, but is it enough?
Every year, a new group of exceptionally talented athletes joins the ranks of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). They play with passion, break records, and win hearts. However, these champions on the court are not yet victors in economic equity.
WNBA players have recently been presented with a fresh opportunity: Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business has partnered with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) to offer an online MBA program. WNBA players, who already boast a 95% graduation rate among their draft classes, can now pursue executive MBA programs, certificates, and Master’s of Science degrees, while continuing their basketball careers.
While this initiative is a monumental step towards empowering these phenomenal women, it also begs the question: Why is there a need for WNBA players to seek additional education to secure financial stability post-retirement? This is where the conversation on salary comes into play.
As of April 2023, the average salary for a WNBA player is $147,745. Comparatively, NBA players took home an average annual salary of over $9.37 million for the 2022/23 season. The stark contrast is not just a number; it’s an illustration of the persistent gender wage gap in professional sports.
One could argue that revenue differences between the NBA and WNBA contribute to this wage gap. However, when considering the percentage of revenue shared with players, the WNBA lags behind the NBA. This discrepancy is not just about fairness; it’s about respect, recognition, and support for the incredible talent that these women bring to the game.
Kelly School’s MBA program is commendable. It shows that institutions recognize the importance of financial security for these players, who often have shorter career spans. Nevertheless, this should not be the end-all solution.
Terri Jackson, Executive Director of the WNBPA, said that WNBA players view this academic partnership as a significant pathway to further their education and achieve economic empowerment. This sentiment is powerful, but wouldn’t it be more empowering if these athletes did not have to look for economic security outside their primary profession?
Now is the time for sponsors, media, fans, and the league itself to step up. Raising the salaries of WNBA players is not just about dollars; it’s about sending a message that society values the contribution of female athletes as much as their male counterparts.
The WNBA has come a long way since its inception in 1996. The players are faster, stronger, and more skilled than ever. The league should match this evolution with a commitment to economic fairness.
Let’s make sure that our champions on the court can also be champions in life, without the added pressure of seeking additional pathways to secure their future. It’s high time that we, as fans and as a society, take a stand for the women who stand tall for us on the court.
IndyStar. (n.d.). WNBA players can get MBAs from Indiana’s Kelley School of Business. Retrieved June 29, 2023, from https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2023/06/27/wnba-players-can-get-mbas-indiana-kelley-school-business/123456789/
Queen Ballers Club. (2023, April 2). WNBA Salary 2023: How Much Money WNBA Players Make. Retrieved June 29, 2023, from https://queenballers.club/news/wnba-salary-2023-how-much-money-wnba-players-make/
The author was at the Fieldhouse in Indianapolis when the Fever won their first world championship in 2012.