re: WNBA #1 Pick upset about gender pay gap between NBA and WNBA

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It is a bit strange that the league doesn't make more money. They are on 3 major tv networks and have huge sponsors, including the NBA. The attendance part is bad, but most revenue doesn't come from that. They need some better business people to take over..

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Do you think those sponsors are paying massive amounts for little return on investment? They aren't going to overpay to get no one to see their ads. Do you think the networks are going to pay significant sums to broadcast games no one watches? Plus, attendance does suck and that's including the fact they can't charge anywhere close to what the NBA can for tickets. They can't raise ticket prices. Otherwise, even fewer people would show up.

Finally, much of the overhead/expenses don't get diminished just because it's women's basketball. The teams still have to pay overhead to play in these large arenas (unless you think the ushers, ticket takers, maintenance, security, etc. should be paid less simply because it's a WNBA game). It cost the same to run the lights in the arena for a WNBA game as it does for a NBA game. Electricity doesn't "discriminate" by gender. You still have to fly the teams all over the country to play and put them in hotels. Airlines and hotels aren't charging less simply because their customers are primarily women. You still have to have training staffs and doctors to take care of the players. But you have to pay those expenses out of a MUCH smaller revenue base...thus inhibiting profit.

I'm sure the WNBA is doing all they can to maximize profit. That's the point of being a business. But when there is no demand for your product there is only so much you can do. Inflating the salaries to well above market-value isn't the best way to maximize profit.