After Brittney Griner's detention and release, nearly half of WNBA players are still opting to play

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

overseas in the off-season: 'Our players are going to do what's best for them'

Nearly half of WNBA players in the league have reportedly opted to play abroad, hoping to make more money in foreign countries — even after Brittney Griner's high-profile detention in Russia.

Although WNBA players have signaled they will not compete in Russia, 67 out of 144 league players will still play abroad, according to The Associated Press. WNBA players typically receive low pay in America compared to the millions they command playing overseas, Insider previously reported.

Many players, who said Griner was "wrongfully detained" in Russia, have decided to play in other countries such as Italy and Turkey, per The AP.

Griner was released from custody on Thursday after the US and Russia agreed to a prisoner exchange for Viktor Bout, an arms dealer. A video shows the two-time Olympic gold medalist touching down on American soil after nearly ten months in Russia.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/after-brittney-griner-s-detention-and-release-nearly-half-of-wnba-players-are-still-opting-to-play-overseas-in-the-off-season-our-players-are-going-to-do-what-s-best-for-them/ar-AA158e8A

[Tumbulu]

1. I must say, I keep wondering why she decided to go play for Russia

in the first place?

While I am glad that she was returned, I feel wonder if the sort of celebrity bubble thing somehow allowed her to think it was ok to bring those meds with her.

I know she is young, but is nobody advising these young players about what they can bring with them or the risks that they take going to nations with authoritarian regimes?

I think about that poor kid who was returned to die from North Korea. After huge efforts. Wasn’t he with some Christian group?

What possess people to take these risks? We’re are the elders advising them?

I am an elder now, so I am thinking a lot about the responsibility that we have to guide those younger in our professions.

When I was young I listed to those 40+ years older than me, are these young people not listening or are elders not advising?

[blm]

2. If you 'keep wondering' why didn't you search for the answer

throughout the twists and turns of this saga? Many articles were posted here at DU.

Google is easy.

[Tumbulu]

9. nothing I read answers the question about why she went to Russia

when we were hearing about Russia preparing to invade Ukraine every day.

I have read that she had a long time contract- since 2017- playing for a team owned by an oligarch. And that it was a well paid position. But sanctions on oligarchs had been imposed, and there were nothing but warnings about the need for Americans to get out of Russia. Starting well before she was unfairly arrested.

I do not really understand your need to be gruff with me.

I am still worried about people getting used as pawns by authoritarians as bargaining chips.

[blm]

14. Didn't intend to sound gruff.

Just that this topic was covered her many times. Here’s another one that might help.

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/brittney-griner-exposes-one-wnba-s-biggest-problems-n1292325?

[DURHAM D]

4. Their agents tell them it is perfectly safe.

Money
Money
Money

[Tumbulu]

10. I guess it always comes down to greed

[qazplm135]

3. Are we concerned

Italy is going to start imprisoning people?

As long as they stay away from countries hostile to us, there's little risk.

[hlthe2b]

5. Exactly. The point of this article seems unclear at best. What did they mean to

imply? Yeah, we've mostly seen Midnight Express, but this is not that.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. My First Thought, Too!

Some of the countries to which these women go aren't of questionable safety, like Russia.
Maybe 95% of that 50% have zero to worry about.
If so, the number in the article doesn't mean much.

[tishaLA]

6. A friend was a pro basketball player who did this

He was very good, but not NBA good, so he played in leagues in Turkey, Italy, France, etc. and made a decent living at it.

[RockRaven]

7. They make far more money playing in these overseas leagues than they do in the WNBA...

So it is understandable that they would do so. Professional athlete careers are short. They've spent their whole lives cultivating a skill which expires quickly and then can no longer generate an income. The money in the WNBA is good compared to median American wages, but it sucks compared to other professional sports.

However, there is some structural fucked-up-ness afoot. The WNBA salaries amount to 20% of league revenue, compared to 50% for the NBA, so it isn't just that the league takes in less money.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. One Problem

Even at that 20%, half the WNBA teams would lose money if not for the NBA subsidies.
At 50% of revenues, every team in the NBA makes a profit. (Anything that says otherwise is likely an accounting trick.)
So, I'm not comfortable that the 20/50 comparison is appropriate.

[FuzzyRabbit]

8. Misleading

The MSN article contains this misleading statement:

WNBA players typically receive low pay in America compared to the millions they command playing overseas

This implies that many players make many millions. Not true. Only a small handful of top players make anything close to a million dollars overseas.

But some star players can make several times the $60-100,000 that they make playing in the US. So they go overseas in order to make a living playing ball.

Perhaps in another 25 years the WNBA will be on a more solid financial footing that it can pay the players what professional athletes everywhere else make.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. They Can Make $200k Now

Not a lot of players make that, but the max salary was increased in the last CBA.
Here in Chicago, the Sky has 2 max players. Most teams only have one or none, though.
But, they actually can make well over 100k now.