WNBA investigating Las Vegas Aces' potential breach of salary cap rules

The GIST: A superteam is in super trouble. After the WNBA opened a probe into the Las Vegas Aces for discrimination, the league launched another investigation into the team’s potential breach of salary cap rules, according to a Wednesday report.

The details: The Aces allegedly made under-the-table payment offers to current players and free agents during contract negotiations. High-ranking team execs frequently instructed players’ agents to take calls from pre-selected companies, who would provide money for “negligible” sponsorship activities, which means Las Vegas could be in violation of the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

• The price tags of these sponsorships usually exceed fair market value or the player’s deal with their team, raising questions about the pay cuts Candace Parker and Alysha Clark allegedly took to leave for Sin City in free agency.

Zooming out: Under commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s leadership, the WNBA became a sports business powerhouse thanks to impressive investment and audience wins. However, recent advancements have only exacerbated the struggle between owners and the fiscally conservative commish as the league decides how to capitalize on its exponential growth.