In the shadow of a $100 million National Basketball Association (NBA) contract, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) continues to fight for fair pay, respect and media coverage. For the young athletes lacing up their high-tops, these barriers are not just headlines, but are elements that define their potential futures.
The WNBA is more than just a professional league, it is a blueprint for what is possible, providing tangible role models who have achieved the highest levels of the sport. The passion for the league runs deep among aspiring stars.
“I follow [the WNBA] pretty good,” basketball player Charity Relliford (11) said. “My favorite team is the Las Vegas Aces, and my favorite players are Angel Reese and Jackie Young.”
However, this enthusiasm is tempered by the reality of the WNBA’s economic and social hurdles. The structural differences between the men’s and women’s professional leagues are impossible for anyone to ignore, often boiling down to attendance and viewership.
“I feel like the salary and the attendance [are the main differences between the WNBA and NBA],” basketball player Bailey Britt (11) said. “Right now, people don’t even know that the WNBA finals are going on, but if it was the men’s it would be packed out.”
This disparity is most prominent in the financial gap between the leagues. The massive difference between WNBA and NBA salaries remains one of the most polarizing topics in sports today, and for these athletes, it represents a fundamental unfairness. They see women playing at an elite level whose compensation does not match their dedication and skill.
“There are some people who don’t even play and get paid a lot on the NBA side, while some of the women bust their tails off and they don’t get paid a lot,” basketball player Kyndall Reynolds (11) said. “I feel like [the pay gap] isn’t fair at all and that [the women] should get paid more.”
The issue of pay opens into a conversation about the respect the WNBA receives as a whole. Britt argues that the unique physical demands on women’s bodies actually make their achievements even more deserving of recognition.
“I think that [the women] deserve way more respect because I feel like it’s harder for women to play basketball because of our bodies,” Britt said. “Some people in the WNBA are better than some people who sit on the bench [in the NBA].”
Despite the economic challenges and the disrespectful commentary, the WNBA is a breeding ground for role models who not only excel on the court but also use their platforms to advocate for resilience and change. The players look up to those who embody the mental toughness required to succeed in this difficult environment.
“I’d say Paige Bueckers [is my role model],” Britt said. “I just like her mentality. She plays through injuries, she’s always there for her team and she’s a really good leader.”
Ultimately, these high school players have a clear vision of what needs to change for professional women’s sports to achieve true equity. Their diagnosis points directly to the belief that increased media attention is the key to unlocking everything else, from attendance to salaries.
“I feel like the media coverage [needs to change] because when the media gets to talking people are going to be wanting to go watch games,” Britt said. “Then, when people attend games more, the pay will go up and [the players] will get what they deserve.”
For the next generation, playing professional basketball means not only striving for greatness but also being prepared to navigate the gender-based obstacles that persist. When asked what advice she would pass on to her peers, Relliford’s message was a piece of wisdom that applies equally to the court and to life.
“Don’t let the outside voices get to you,” Relliford said. “Just focus on your goal and what you are aiming for.”
