Dave Portnoy, the controversial Barstool Sports founder, has once again stirred significant debate, this time passionately defending WNBA player salaries and labeling critics as “morons” in the wake of a groundbreaking $325 million acquisition deal for the Connecticut Sun.
Portnoy’s strong opinions have resonated widely, leading him to double down on his assertions that WNBA players deserve higher compensation, particularly after the recent valuation of a major franchise. His direct, no-holds-barred approach has consistently sparked conversation around the economic viability and growth of women’s professional basketball.
The catalyst for Portnoy’s renewed criticism was the proposed $325 million deal for the Connecticut Sun, spearheaded by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca. This record-breaking acquisition, which includes plans for relocation by 2027 pending league approval, highlights the rapidly appreciating value within the WNBA franchise landscape.
Portnoy emphatically used the staggering sale price to bolster his argument, contrasting it with previous team valuations, such as the Las Vegas Aces selling for $50 million just recently. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to publicly challenge those who questioned player pay, asserting the new WNBA valuation as undeniable proof.
This significant financial milestone is not an isolated incident but rather a clear indicator of the WNBA’s exponential growth in recent years. The league has actively expanded, announcing plans for 18 teams following the awarding of franchises to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, underscoring its expanding market presence and popularity in women’s professional basketball.
The league’s surging revenue is further exemplified by a new $2.2 billion media rights deal, reflecting a dramatic increase in viewership. Average WNBA game viewership has skyrocketed from 205,000 in 2020 to 1.2 million currently, demonstrating a significant rise in fan engagement and commercial appeal, critical for future WNBA player salaries.
Despite this impressive financial momentum, WNBA players remain constrained by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in 2020, which many argue no longer reflects the league’s current economic standing. A stark disparity exists when comparing the average WNBA salary, estimated at $147,745, to the NBA’s model where players receive approximately 50 percent of revenue, compared to only about 10 percent in the WNBA.
Recognizing this imbalance, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has opted out of the current CBA, setting its expiration for the end of the 2025 season. Players, led by union first vice president Kelsey Plum, are actively campaigning for substantial salary increases, with expectations for new negotiations with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to commence after the current season, paving the way for a new era of basketball business and fairer compensation.
