Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal believes he has a solution that will make the WNBA more watchable and thus, make the players more money.
But, he warned, it is a controversial take that isn’t going to be embraced by everybody.
The league is set to lose a staggering $40 million this season. There is unrest, as players are threatening a strike next year and demanding their “rightful share of business.”
The reports have many fans scratching their heads. How can the WNBA possibly be losing that much money after having a historic year of ratings and ticket sales, powered mostly by Caitlin Clark and, in part, by Reese herself?
For some, it remains the quality of play. That’s where Shaq steps in and offers his own solution.
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Shaq Explains To Angel Reese How The WNBA Can Make Money
One of the biggest critics of how the WNBA pays – or does not pay – its players has been Chicago Sky star Angel Reese.
Reese trashed the WNBA for not paying players enough and indicated the league salary wasn’t enough to cover her rent. She then praised the new Unrivaled League that has been enticing major stars to join, promising to pay the highest average salary in women’s professional sports league history.
She took another shot at the WNBA in her recent podcast discussion with O’Neal. Reese reiterated her stance that the WNBA doesn’t pay its players enough.
O’Neal then chimed in: “I have a solution for that, nobody’s gonna like my solution.”
“The Diesel” believes the league should consider lowering the rims because dunking is “the only thing missing [in the women’s game].”
“They gon hate this,” he predicted.
Angel Pushes Back
Reese, who might improve her shooting percentage significantly on layups if the WNBA lowered the rims, pushed back on Shaq’s idea.
“I hate when men say that,” she said, shaking her head.
But O’Neal continued pushing, pointing out that the WNBA needs something it has never seen before. He even cited Clark for her ability to shoot from distances never before seen.
“It’s about seeing stuff you ain’t supposed to see… Why you think people love Caitlin Clark? Besides her skills?” he asked.
“She can shoot threes from logo,” Reese conceded.
That’s when Shaq got himself into some hot water. If he doesn’t get criticized as being sexist for saying the WNBA should lower the rims, he almost certainly will for daring to suggest women dunking the ball might be fun to watch.
“A pretty girl dunking on the rim, I would watch that all day,” he said, promoting laughter from the host.
O’Neal and Reese have developed quite a professional rapport. He often refers to Reese as “my girl” due in part to their both being LSU alumni.
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