The WNBA would receive about $200 million per year as part of the NBA's recently approved media rights deals, according to multiple reports, a figure that concerns the executive director of the WNBA players' union.
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Even with an annual increase of around $140 million, the new number still concerns the executive director of the WNBA players' union.
Executive director Terri Jackson said in a statement Wednesday that the WNBA is being undervalued at $2.2 billion over 11 years.
"We have wondered for months how the NBA would value the WNBA in its media rights deal," Jackson said. "With a reportedly $75 billion deal on the table, the league is in control of its own destiny. More precisely, the NBA controls the destiny of the WNBA."
We look forward to learning how the NBA arrived at a $200 million valuation -- if initial reports are accurate or even close," Jackson said. "Neither the NBA nor the WNBA can deny that in the last few years, we have seen unprecedented growth across all metrics, the players continue to demonstrate their commitment to building the brand, and that the fans keep showing up. There is no excuse to undervalue the WNBA again."
Jackson feels the league could be undervalued with its popularity at an all-time high. The WNBA has had strong growth the past few seasons but really took off this year led by Clark and fellow rookie
Angel Reese. The WNBA has had record attendance and viewership this year heading into the Olympic break.
WNBA players are expected to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement after this season, which would end that deal after next year.