The City of Las Vegas stepped up in a big way to help change some of the conversation about salaries in the WNBA by providing every player on the Aces with a big financial sponsorship. All 12 athletes will receive an additional $100,000 from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority this season.
There is no contingency or fine print attached!
It is a historic move that was announced just two days after A’ja Wilson pleaded with fans to invest in her sport at the TIME 100 Summit on Wednesday. She clearly got through to the city in which she plays.
“I hope that anyone’s invested and paying attention to it, continues to invest in it. Buy that jersey. Go to that game. Take someone else. Put your money where your mouth is and invest in these women.
— A’ja Wilson
The 27-year-old former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft also spoke to the decision that loomed over Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Kamila Cardoso and the rest of this year’s rookie class. They were able to make pretty significant money while in college because of NIL.
Professional salaries are not significant in women’s professional basketball, so there was thought that the top college stars should return for a fifth year to maximize earning potential. There are valid points to be made on both sides of the discussion. Wilson would like to eliminate the debate all together.
I feel like we saw that this year. A lot of people were like “Oh my god, why would you go pro when you’re making this much?”
And it’s like, that’s the whole point. Hopefully those investors, those sponsors, can continue to help you grow at the next level.
— A’ja Wilson
Las Vegas heard their star player’s plea.
Steve Hill, president and CEO of the LVCVA, surprised the Las Vegas Aces after practice on Friday alongside some of his colleagues. He announced a $100,000 sponsorship for every single player on the team!
That list includes:
- Kierstan Bell
- Emma Cannon
- Alysha Clark
- Sydney Colson
- Dyaisha Fair
- Chelsea Gray
- Megan Gustafson
- Kate Martin
- Kelsey Plum
- Kiah Stokes
- A’ja Wilson
- Jackie Young
They are all $100K (minus taxes) richer. In return, Wilson has a simple request.
The offer is really simple: We want you to just play, keep repping Las Vegas and if you get a three-peat, that would be icing on the cake.
— LVCVA president and CEO Steve Hill
The deal is especially cool for Gustafson, Cannon, Colson, Bell, Fair and Martin. All six athletes are currently playing on contracts worth less than $100,000. This new sponsorship with Las Vegas will guarantee them more than their annual WNBA salary!