Kelsey Plum Demands Fair Revenue Sharing for WNBA Players, Not NBA-Level Salaries

Top Plays of the Day, 8/5/2025

Kelsey Plum, the star guard of the Las Vegas Aces and 2022 All-Star Game MVP, has once again raised her voice about the pay disparities in women’s professional basketball. While Plum is vocal about the need for WNBA players to receive a much larger share of league revenues, she is clear that she is not demanding salaries equal to those of NBA players. Instead, her focus is on fair revenue sharing based on the percentage of league income.

Appearing on The Residency Podcast this Monday, Plum confronted some of the misconceptions and criticism aimed at female athletes advocating for better pay and treatment. Her remarks shed light on the underlying financial disparities between the WNBA and the NBA and call for structural changes that could empower women’s basketball players to earn more while respecting the economic realities of the sport.

“We’re Not Asking to Be Paid Like Men, We Want a Fair Cut of the Revenue”

In her discussion, Plum clarified a common misunderstanding about the goals of female athletes in the WNBA. “We’re not asking to be paid like the men,” she said firmly. “We want to share the same percentage of revenue. That is a serious misconception. I don’t think I should be paid LeBron James-level money. But the percentage of revenue—like, when they sell jerseys with my name at Mandalay Bay, I don’t get a single cent of that.”

This statement highlights a fundamental issue: WNBA players currently receive a disproportionately small slice of the money generated by their league and related merchandise, compared to their NBA counterparts.

Disparities in Revenue Sharing and Contract Structures

Kelsey Plum further detailed the differences in how revenue is shared between the two leagues. In the NBA, players benefit from collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) that allow them to earn around 50% of the league’s basketball-related income, which includes merchandise sales, broadcasting rights, and ticket sales. This arrangement means NBA players’ earnings grow as the league’s revenue grows, creating a more sustainable and fair compensation model.

In contrast, the WNBA players receive only about 20% of the league’s basketball-related income. This smaller share significantly limits the earnings potential for women athletes, despite the league’s growing popularity and increasing revenue streams.

“NBA players get a cut of the revenue. Their merchandise sales, their TV deals—those contracts get bigger every year,” Plum explained. “But that’s because their CBA negotiates how much the owners make, and they get a cut too. In the WNBA, that’s not how it works.”

The Economic Realities Behind Salary Gaps

According to a recent report by The Athletic, the salary range for WNBA players in the upcoming 2023 season will be between $62,285 and $234,936. Meanwhile, NBA players typically receive salaries that are multiple times larger, supported by a revenue-sharing agreement that grants them a significantly higher percentage of league income.

These figures reflect broader economic realities, including differences in league revenue, sponsorship deals, television contracts, and merchandise sales. While the WNBA has made impressive strides in increasing its fan base and visibility, it has not yet achieved the scale and commercial success of the NBA.

Despite these challenges, Plum and many other WNBA players argue that fairer revenue sharing would provide them with better financial security and recognition for their contributions to professional basketball.

Why Fair Revenue Sharing Matters

Revenue sharing is more than just a financial issue—it’s about respect, equality, and the sustainable growth of women’s sports. By advocating for a greater percentage of league revenues, Plum and others are pushing for a model that recognizes the value WNBA players bring to the table.

Better revenue sharing would allow players to invest more in their training, health, and careers, which would, in turn, improve the quality of play and attract more fans and sponsors. It would also send a strong message that women’s professional sports deserve the same respect and economic opportunities as men’s leagues.

Public and Fan Reactions

Plum’s candid statements have sparked conversations among fans, sports analysts, and league officials. Some praise her for advocating boldly for equality and fairness, while others worry about the financial feasibility of increasing player shares without impacting team revenues or ticket prices.

However, the overwhelming sentiment among WNBA supporters is one of solidarity with players who seek equitable treatment. Fans are increasingly aware of the systemic inequalities in sports and show growing support for initiatives that promote fairness and transparency.

Looking Ahead: Potential Changes and Challenges

The path toward improved revenue sharing in the WNBA involves complex negotiations among players, league officials, sponsors, and broadcasters. Collective bargaining agreements will play a crucial role in defining the financial future of women’s basketball.

There is optimism that, with continued advocacy from players like Kelsey Plum, the WNBA can negotiate better terms that fairly compensate athletes while growing the league’s commercial success. However, challenges remain, including balancing economic realities, expanding the league’s fan base, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

Kelsey Plum’s call for fair revenue sharing in the WNBA shines a spotlight on the financial disparities faced by women athletes in professional basketball. Her message is clear: WNBA players do not seek to mirror NBA salaries dollar-for-dollar but instead want to earn their rightful percentage of the revenue they help generate.

As the conversation about equality in sports continues, Plum’s advocacy may mark a turning point for the WNBA, signaling a move toward greater financial fairness, recognition, and opportunity for women in basketball.