Dave Portnoy has expressed his frustration with those who think WNBA players shouldn’t receive higher pay. The Barstool Sports founder weighed in after a player made a bold statement during Saturday’s All-Star Game, saying, “We’ll pay us what you owe.” He shared his views in a lengthy post and subsequent videos over the weekend.
“I really can’t wrap my head around why anyone would think women deserve less money,” Portnoy remarked in one of his videos.
He highlighted Caitlyn Clark’s rookie salary of $76,000, which he described as “madness” compared to what some Barstool personalities earn.
According to recent data, the average WNBA salary for the 2024 season stood at $147,745.
Portnoy also referenced critics of the league who point to its reported losses of tens of millions annually, arguing that the financial situation is “intentionally muddy” and intertwined with the NBA.
In October 2024, a report indicated that the WNBA was projected to lose $40 million in the 2025 season. However, Portnoy described the league as “explosive.”
“Franchise values are soaring. Ticket sales, merchandise, and TV rights are all skyrocketing. Players have opted out of the CBA, showing they have power,” he noted.
Last summer, the WNBA secured an 11-year, $2.2 billion television rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBCUniversal, with significant increases in viewership and ticket sales—up 23%, 26%, and 13%, respectively, over half the season.
“The players don’t have to do much while the league thrives. Of course, they should earn more,” he added.
A notable fan of Caitlyn Clark, Portnoy pushed back against the idea that the league’s success could be short-lived, emphasizing Clark’s impact. “This league is on fire right now, and people might say it’s all about one player,” he said. “But Caitlyn isn’t going anywhere; she’s just in the second year of her 15-year career.”
He also mentioned other rising talents like Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and soon-to-be star JuJu Watkins as key figures for the WNBA’s bright future.
In closing, Portnoy noted that the Boston-based WNBA franchise could be valued around $250 million, reiterating, “That’s about the extent of my knowledge on the WNBA’s financial situation.”
