WNBA star Gabby Williams is raising concerns about the financial realities of being a professional women’s basketball player. In a candid discussion, Williams criticized the league for not delivering on promises related to player compensation, marketing agreements, and the overall treatment of international players.

“We were promised team marketing agreements and league marketing agreements, but they’ve fallen quite short. It’s still not enough for us international players,” Williams explained. She emphasized the struggle players face despite being among the best in the world. “Imagine working your butt off, becoming one of the best in the world at what you do, and still not making enough to live comfortably,” she added.

Williams also challenged a claim made by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who suggested players could make up to $700,000. “That’s actually not true at all,” Williams said, clarifying that no player in the league currently makes that much. “It’s a choice for players to go abroad if they want to make more money. If I choose to make more elsewhere, teams get upset, but that’s just how it is.”

Broken Promises and Financial Struggles

Gabby Williams isn’t just a key player on the court—she’s becoming a vocal advocate off it, addressing critical issues facing her fellow athletes. Williams shed light on what she called “broken promises,” particularly around the financial opportunities players were supposed to receive from marketing deals. “The WNBA promised us these marketing agreements, but they’ve fallen short,” she said.

These financial struggles aren’t just affecting a few players—many of the WNBA’s top talents are barely making ends meet, despite the league growing in popularity and visibility. For instance, the league’s highest-paid player, Jackie Young, earns around $224,450, but this is still a far cry from the salaries of top male athletes in the NBA.

International Players and the Overseas Exodus

Williams also highlighted the plight of international players in the WNBA, pointing out that many are forced to leave the U.S. to earn better pay abroad. “If you want us to be here, you have to pay us more. It’s business,” Williams stressed. International players often have to juggle playing in multiple leagues, putting immense strain on their bodies and limiting their opportunities to build their brands domestically.

WNBA players frequently go overseas to countries like Russia, Turkey, and China during the offseason, where salaries are significantly higher. While this may temporarily ease their financial burdens, it takes a toll physically and mentally. “These players are playing year-round, with no break. It’s like running a marathon and then immediately starting another one,” Williams explained.

The Upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Could Be a Game-Changer

As Williams continues to sound the alarm on player compensation, all eyes are turning to November 1, 2024—the date when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) can be renegotiated. This pivotal agreement governs player salaries, benefits, and marketing deals. The outcome could reshape the WNBA for years to come.

The CBA is seen as a potential turning point for fair pay in the WNBA, with the possibility of higher base salaries, better marketing agreements, and even revenue sharing on the table. “The league has to step up and recognize that investing in their players is investing in their future,” Williams said.

What’s at Stake?

For the WNBA, this moment of reckoning could determine its future. If the league continues to underpay its stars, more players may choose to leave for more lucrative opportunities abroad. This could stunt the growth of women’s basketball in the U.S., with top talent spending large portions of their careers overseas.

As Gabby Williams and other stars continue to speak out, fans and the league itself will need to address these critical issues head-on. The upcoming CBA negotiations will be crucial in determining whether the WNBA can retain its top players and continue to grow as a premier professional sports league.

In Williams’ words: “We deserve to make a living wage in our own league. We’re not asking for anything outrageous—just to be compensated fairly for what we bring to the game.” With the clock ticking, the ball is now in the WNBA’s court.

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