Stephen A's Take: WNBA Players Kill Contract. Caitlin Clark deserves a Thank you!

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show
Episode: Stephen A's Take: WNBA Players Kill Contract. Caitlin Clark Deserves a Thank You!
Release Date: October 24, 2024

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Overview

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into the recent decision by WNBA players to opt out of their current collective bargaining agreement (CBA), putting the league at risk of a work stoppage. Smith provides his incisive analysis on the implications of this move, the role of standout players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese in elevating the league's profile, and critiques the players' current strategies in leveraging their influence for better contracts and conditions.

Key Discussions

1. WNBA Players Opting Out of the CBA

Timestamp: [03:10]
Smith begins by outlining the fundamental issue: WNBA players have chosen to opt out of their existing CBA, signaling potential labor unrest if a new agreement isn't reached by season's end. This bold move coincides with the league securing a groundbreaking 11-year media rights deal valued at $200 million annually with major networks such as Disney, Amazon Prime, and NBC.

He notes that players justified their decision citing increased television ratings, higher attendance, and rising franchise values as evidence of the league's growing popularity and their indispensable role in this success.

2. Critique of the Players' Compensation Relative to the NBA

Timestamp: [03:31]
Smith doesn't hold back his criticism, stating, "Stop right there. Stop right there. The players are absolutely right. They only get 10% of basketball-related income compared to the 50% that the NBA players get."

He emphasizes the disparity between the WNBA and NBA in terms of revenue sharing, highlighting the need for equity and fair compensation commensurate with the players' contributions to the league's success.

3. The Impact of Star Players: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese

Timestamp: [04:06]
A significant portion of Smith's argument centers on the pivotal role played by star athletes like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. He asserts, "Caitlin Clark Rising Tide lifts all boats. As much as her presence was maximized by the WNBA, you players could have done more to assist it."

Smith attributes the recent surge in the WNBA's popularity to these standout players, noting that their exceptional performances have led to increased television ratings, higher attendance figures, and enhanced franchise values. He believes that their success has the potential to attract even more attention and resources to the league.

4. Failure to Leverage Player Popularity for Greater Gains

Timestamp: [05:18]
Despite acknowledging the positive influence of players like Caitlin Clark, Smith is critical of the players' reluctance to fully capitalize on their popularity. He questions their strategy, stating, "Are you willing to admit how stupid it was for y'all not to go all in in speaking your piece to elevate Caitlin Clark so therefore even more attention could have come and y'all could have reaped the benefits."

Smith suggests that the players missed opportunities to amplify their voices and advocate more forcefully for better contracts and conditions, which could have further accelerated the league's growth and their own bargaining power.

5. Lack of Support for Star Players on the International Stage

Timestamp: [05:48]
Smith also points out instances where the WNBA's administration failed to support their star players on larger platforms, such as international competitions. He notes, "So much so you didn't push for her to be on Team USA. So much so you had people like Cheryl Swoops who didn't even want to mention her name."

This lack of support, according to Smith, not only hinders the players' individual growth but also limits the league's overall exposure and reputation on the global stage.

6. Concluding Remarks: A Call for Strategic Advocacy

Timestamp: [06:31]
In his concluding thoughts, Smith underscores the importance of strategic advocacy and proactive efforts by the players to secure their interests. He laments, "But y'all make me feel brilliant because I say what I believe to be the most obvious things obvious and it gets ignored until it comes to fruition. Just like I told y'all it would. Just like I told you it would."

Smith reinforces the notion that while the players' contributions have undeniably elevated the WNBA, there is a pressing need for more strategic and assertive actions to ensure sustainable growth and equitable compensation.

Notable Quotes

• On Compensation Disparity:
  "The players are absolutely right. They only get 10% of basketball-related income compared to the 50% that the NBA players get."
  [03:31]

• On Caitlin Clark's Impact:
  "Caitlin Clark Rising Tide lifts all boats. As much as her presence was maximized by the WNBA, you players could have done more to assist it."
  [04:06]

• On Strategic Advocacy:
  "Are you willing to admit how stupid it was for y'all not to go all in in speaking your piece to elevate Caitlin Clark so therefore even more attention could have come and y'all could have reaped the benefits."
  [05:18]

• On Support for Players:
  "You didn't push for her to be on Team USA. So much so you had people like Cheryl Swoops who didn't even want to mention her name."
  [05:48]

• On Being Heard:
  "But y'all make me feel brilliant because I say what I believe to be the most obvious things obvious and it gets ignored until it comes to fruition."
  [06:52]

Insights and Conclusions

Stephen A. Smith presents a nuanced critique of the current state of the WNBA, acknowledging the significant strides the league has made in recent years while simultaneously highlighting areas where both the administration and players could improve. His analysis underscores the critical role that star athletes play in elevating the league's profile and the importance of leveraging their influence to advocate for better conditions and compensation.

Smith's commentary serves as a call to action for WNBA players to adopt more strategic and unified approaches in negotiations, ensuring that the momentum built by exceptional talents like Caitlin Clark can be fully realized and beneficial for all stakeholders involved.

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the episode's key points, discussions, and insights, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

Transcript

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[Nate Thompson]

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[Hunter]

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[Unknown Speaker]

The WNBA players have opted out of their current collective bargaining agreement to face the prospect of a work stoppage if if they don't reach a new deal before the end of the season. The move comes as the league recently entered into an historic 11 year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon prime and NBC for $200 million a year. The players also cited higher television ratings, attendance figures and franchise values for opting up.

Stop right there. Stop right there. The players are absolutely right. They only get 10% of basketball related income compared to the 50% that the the NBA players get.

Players citing higher television ratings, attendance figures, franchise values as the reason for opting out. Now wait a damn minute.

Wait a damn minute.

What have I been saying?

I say Caitlin Clark Rising Tide lifts all boats. As much as her presence was maximized by the wnba, you players could have done. You could have done more to assist it. I just spoke about Sue Bird over a week ago and everybody talk about other WNBA players not being appreciated. Nobody insulted them, nobody dismissed their contribution. We were simply saying despite the contributions, for years and years and years, a lot of people didn't care, fair or not, until Caitlin Clark came along. Not only her angel Reese to some degree as well, but Caitlin Clark more so. And her and the combination of Angel Reese and it elevated television ratings, it elevated attendance, and it damn sure elevated franchise value. But now something that y'all resisted talking about, opining about, acknowledging. Now you want to come and say let's opt out of the CBA because of those very, very things. You know what I would say to y'all.

Then? Are you willing to admit how stupid it was for y'all not to go all in in speaking your piece to.

Elevate Caitlin Clark so therefore even more attention could have come and y'all could have reaped the benefits. Now you're going to do it anyway and I get that. But you see my point, higher television ratings, higher attendance figures. Ladies and gentlemen, that doesn't come courtesy of a league. It comes courtesy of the players that.

Play in the league.

And in her case, she was the most popular, which means she could have helped your bottom line, which means you should have seen that from day one and maximized it. But you didn't do it. You didn't want to. Rather, you were a bit hesitant and reluctant and resistant to it. So much so you didn't push for her to be on Team usa. So much so you had people like Cheryl Swoops who didn't even want to mention her name.

That didn't hurt that much. But if you went the opposite direction, it could have helped that much and facilitated you being an even in an even stronger position to get yours. But you didn't do it.

You didn't do it.

Wow. I mean, I just. I have to acknowledge y'all make me feel brilliant sometimes. I really don't look at myself that way.

I'm just a hard worker. I work, I put my head down.

I get on my grind, I try to do the best I can.

But y'all make me feel brilliant because I say what I believe to be the most obvious things obvious and it.

Gets ignored until it comes to fruition. Just like I told y'all it would. Just like I told you it would.

[Nate Thompson]

Foreign.

[Greg Rosenthal]

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[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up, everyone? Julie Swearbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to EnergyLine with Nate and JSB on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Hunter]

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