America is not the entire world, Paris Olympics star calls out WNBA owners for hampering women

The WNBA may be on the minds of all sporting fans across the world. But its players also happen to be one of the least paid, especially when compared to what European women’s basketball leagues provide. That has led many players to prefer to ply their trade abroad.

But that comes with consequences due to the league’s prioritization rule, leaving the likes of Paris Olympics star Gabby Williams unable to play the first half of the season. Williams, after signing with the Seattle Storm for the remainder of the season, met with reporters.

I’ve said this before, it shouldn’t be a blanket rule, I don’t understand. I understand the want to have players here. And I think prioritization has to go hand in hand with the money we’re making as well. I think if a team can handle it, they can handle it. If not, don’t sign European players or players that play in Europe. America is not the entire world.

She is echoing what WNBA players have been talking about. The league does not pay them enough, so they are forced to play in Europe. But European seasons overlap with the start of the WNBA. Gabby Williams was able to sign as she was a free agent before the start of the season. If she was already tied to the Seattle Storm and didn’t play at the start of the season, she would not have been able to play now. Just like her France teammate, New York Liberty’s Marine Johannes.

Since Johannes preferred to focus on the Paris Olympics, she could not join the Liberty at the start of the season. That voids her season as per the prioritization rule. Johannes’ loss is what Williams wants the WNBA to fix.

WNBA needs to fix their CBA or risk losing their new-found fame

Until this season, the perils of WNBA players weren’t that vocal. The lack of media coverage hid potential issues from the larger fanbase. Those who know it deeply have a fair idea about the Dearica Hamby situation that first showed that the current CBA has some flaws. Then, only when the world came to know of superstar rookie Caitlin Clark’s contract, did they understand how badly underpaid the women are.

They even brought it to the attention of the President. The perils of international players and the prioritization rule again came to the forefront after the Olympics. It might be late, but the wave of new fans are noticing the unfriendly rules the league has in place. Their voices are already growing louder, asking those in power to make sweeping changes to the rules.

Next season, players have a chance to push for rules to benefit them, just like it is in the NBA. With the influx of funds from the new media rights deal, owners should not have a problem relaxing these restrictions. Then only will international stars have the incentive to play in the WNBA.

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