There are many similarities between the WNBA and NBA, but also many differences. For years, sports critics have compared the two trying to bring more attention to one aspect of their leagues as possible. For example, some WNBA analysts and supporters believe that women deserve the same amount of compensation and media attention as the men a part of the NBA. On the other hand, NBA representatives and reporters think that the men deserve more because they have much higher viewership numbers as well as attendance.
The WNBA was founded in 1996 and started playing in 1997. This league consists of some of the best women athletes in the world. Some women are upset because they do not get the attention that the NBA gets. According to The Athletic the highest-attended game last year was credited to the Las Vegas Aces at 9,551 people, while the NBA’s average attendance was a whopping 18,324 according to Midland Daily News. The former commissioner of the NBA, David Stern was the original founder of the WNBA. While this league does not bring in the same amount of attention or revenue to the sport or athletes, it poses a dream for girls all around the world to become one of the best women’s basketball players and play among their role models. It also shows that not only males can have highly competitive professional sports loved by many fans.
Not only are there differences between these two in terms of stats, but also in the actual game itself. To enter the WNBA draft you have to be at least twenty-two years old, while in the NBA the minimum age is nineteen but at least one year of college is required. NBA plays twelve-minute quarters, while the girls play 10 minute quarters. The women’s ball is also an inch smaller and two ounces lighter than the boys’ ball to account for the female players’ slightly smaller hands. The average salary for the NBA is an immense $6.4 million; the WNBA sits at just $71.000.
In conclusion, as much as people and critics want to point out all of the pros and cons between these two basketball leagues, both have a lot in common and both contribute greatly to the community whether it is donating to the local homeless shelters or helping to build boys’ and girls’ clubs in cities for children who do not have anywhere to go after school. With a strong 2024 draft class, the WNBA is on a come-up from previous years where the league saw a drought in fan attendance. With this promising future, the WNBA could have the possibility to compete with the “big brother” NBA in stadium and TV revenue. As of the present time, we can already visualize a change with many tickets doubling or even tripling in price just to watch these young stars play. This is the WNBA’s one shot and the ball is nearing the rim.
