By Jason Kanagkinis, Year 12
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) was founded in 1996 by David Stern, the former commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The inaugural season of the WNBA was played in 1997, but the league initially did not receive much respect or coverage. Unlike the NBA, the WNBA has a smaller fan base, less TV coverage, and unfortunately lower revenue. However, the WNBA has an impact on young female athletes, demonstrating that basketball is a sport loved by all genders and races.
The WNBA has several differences from the NBA in terms of rules, equipment, salaries, and stadium size. For example, the WNBA basketball is an inch smaller than the NBA ball and 2 ounces lighter, allowing better grip for smaller hands. The WNBA plays four 10-minute quarters with a 24-second shot clock, while the NBA plays 12-minute quarters. The maximum roster size allowed in the WNBA is 12, compared to 15 in the NBA. WNBA players must be at least 22 years old to enter the draft, while NBA players can enter at 19 years old with at least one year of past college experience. The WNBA 3-point line measures 20 feet 6 inches, while the NBA 3-point line measures 23 feet 9 inches at the top of the key and 22 feet in the corners.
The WNBA has lower average salaries, revenue, and crowd sizes than the NBA. The average WNBA player’s salary is around $71,000, compared to $6.4 million for the NBA. The WNBA averages around 7,000 attendees per game, while the NBA averages 18,000 in attendance. The WNBA brought in $60 million in revenue compared to the NBA’s $7.4 billion. The WNBA ticket prices average around $18 per ticket, while the NBA tickets cost approximately $90 per ticket.
Overall, the WNBA is a much smaller organization than the NBA, but it has talented female athletes who can serve as role models for young girls. The popularity of the WNBA may improve in the future, and female athletes may receive better compensation for their skills.
NBA VS WNBA
