Monday, July 11, 2011

WNBA

I'm sitting on an airplane watching a movie and eating ice cream. I rode an elevator with Vanessa Redgrave and her daughtr, the one from "Nip Tuck". Just the beginning of. My adventure.
While sitting and reading O Magazine, I read an interview with Maya Moore,the U.
Conn first draft pick to the WNBA and I started to think about how unfair it is for the woman who play college ball--especially college basketball. While yes, they do get careers in the end, but hardly the careers that their male counterparts get with the salaries in the NBA. Where are their HUGE endorsements? YOUR THOUGHTS?????

1 comment:

  1. You asked for thoughts...

    I don't think the huge disparity in endorsements is a reflection of female athletes. I think the problem stems from comparing it to the NBA.   The WNBA is a relatively new league.  This is only the 15th season.  Also, there are roughly half the amount of teams in the WNBA and they play approximately half the number of regular season games as the NBA.  In addition, it is unfair to compare the WNBA to the NBA  when you consider the popularity  of the sport and the television ratings.  Fortunately for the WNBA, the NBA has been supportive of them and helps promote their league.

    There are a number of woman athletes who have secured very lucrative endorsement contracts.   Tennis is a great example.  In recent years Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters have become spokespeople for major  companies.  Danica Patrick has been very successful in the male dominated world of NASCAR.  Many female athletes have returned from the Olympics with endorsement deals - skaters, gymnasts, soccer players, track and field stars.  Female golfers such as Annika Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa and Michelle Wie have also  obtained major endorsements.

    I agree with everything you say about women's basketball, "they do get careers in the end, but hardly the careers that their male counterparts get with the salaries in the NBA" and the "HUGE" endorsements are lacking. The NBA dates back to 1946.  It takes time and credibility to establish a sport. The WNBA has not achieved the status of the NBA, therefore it doesn't have the same endorsement opportunities.  Your not comparing basketballs to basketballs!

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