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

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.

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