Because it’s iconic

The GIST: As discussed on yesterday’s episode of The GIST of It, the WNBPA announced it’s opting out of its historic 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The news was expected, meaning yet another precedent-setting CBA is imminent — let’s hoop to it.

The context: These days, the W is more popular than ever. Team valuations are sitting at $96M on average, while everything from attendance (up 48% YoY) to merch sales (up 601% YoY) continues to skyrocket. Add in a new media rights deal that’s six times more lucrative than the previous one, and it’s evident the league’s financial pie is expanding. Delish.

The priorities: In the midst of this revenue surge, women’s hoopers are hoping for multiple commas of their own. The WNBPA will push for an equity-based economic model to build on the players’ 10% share of league revenue, while additional points of negotiation will include professional standards (no children’s birthday parties here) and retirement, pregnancy, and family planning benefits.

The complexity: The NBA has been subsidizing the WNBA for years, which has allowed the W to take millions of dollars in losses as it continues to build — but because of this, the WNBA only controls 42% of its cap table. The NBA controls another 42% and an investment group that includes Nike owns the remaining 16% after a $75M raise in 2022.

• The W’s diluted equity stake is notable because, despite the overall increase in revenue, less than half of those earnings are actually flowing back into the league, meaning there’s a gap between what’s economically feasible and the salaries players deserve.

Looking ahead: The WNBPA has until the end of next season to strike a deal with the league, but according to current ESPN analyst (and former W hooper) Chiney Ogwumike, the players are in no rush to finalize a deal and would consider a work stoppage if necessary. What we do know is that the league wins when its players do — watch this space.

The GIST: As the WNBA reaches new heights on and off the court, we chatted with basketball icon Candace Parker about her latest gig — curating a hoops trading card collection with eBay — and her vision for the W’s future as the popularity of women’s basketball continues to surge. Hooptastic.

Note: Candace’s responses have been lightly edited for space and clarity.

Q: One of the coolest things about this launch is that all of the moments used for the cards were hand-picked by you — how did you sort through all the incredible hoops moments and settle on the milestones you did?

I knew the moments that were meaningful to me both as a player and as a fan, and in my role as an analyst, I get to combine the two with experienced eyes. Ultimately, I selected a mix of veterans and rising stars that I think showcase the breadth of the talent from our sport.

Q: What do you think about the direction that women’s basketball is heading, both on and off the court?

It’s great for sports in general to see the demand for women’s basketball grow and expand. The best part of it though has been seeing and hearing the conversations happen everywhere you look. I don’t just mean on big network TV, I mean at bars, on the train, at work. People are talking about and engaging with the players at a level we haven’t seen before.

Q: What does it mean to you knowing you’ve influenced a generation of young women as one of the best players to ever play the game, but also as an analyst?

I think of how I looked up to the hoopers before me — Cheryl Miller, Teresa Weatherspoon, Sheryl Swoopes, and others. I’ve always said I wanted to leave the game better than I found it, and I hope I accomplished that.

• I was fortunate enough to be an NBA analyst toward the end of my career. It’s important for kids to see someone who looks like them talking about the game. It doesn’t matter if it’s the men’s game or the women’s game — girls should know they can do anything.

Q: If you were writing “the script,” what would the WNBA look like in 10 years?

The script I would write is for it to keep growing! I know the players in the league right now are working to ensure that happens. I’m doing my part, too, with moments like “Gametime Gets.” As the growth continues, and with the spike we’ve seen the last few years, people are eager to continue that momentum.

Do you work for a company that’s looking for new ways to reach a different type of sports fan? You’ve come to the right place.

As a GISTer, you know firsthand that our community loves companies that align with their values, including supporting women in sports and women’s sports. In fact, 91% of GISTers are interested in brands we choose to share with them.

If you or your company want to help level the playing field in sports, let’s talk.

The temperature is dropping and the leaves are falling, which means the NWSL playoffs are right around the corner. In preparation for the postseason, we want to give you a chance to experience NJ/NY Gotham FC’s first home playoff game ever.

This historic prize pack includes:

🎟️ Four tickets to the quarter-final playoff game at Red Bull Arena

✌️ The opportunity to go on the field for the pregame coin toss

⚽ A Gotham jersey signed by the players

It doesn’t get better than this…enter to win this one-of-a-kind fan experience today. Goals.