Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA legend and Hall of Famer, is not just known for his on-court dominance; he’s also making waves off the court by advocating for equal pay for WNBA players. O’Neal’s involvement with women’s basketball is bolstered by his relationship with Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, who affectionately refers to him as her ‘uncle.’ Despite this close connection, O’Neal hasn’t hesitated to acknowledge the skills and potential of other players, particularly Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, whom he recently praised highly.
During the WNBA season finale on August 30, the Fever triumphed over the Sky with a convincing 100 to 81 victory. Clark, showcasing her remarkable talent, poured in 31 points and dished out 12 assists. O’Neal, impressed by her performance, noted, “When I see stuff on TV, I’m like, OK, I’d like to see it in person. Well, I saw it in person. She can play ... from a basketball standpoint, she makes all the right plays, gets everybody involved, and she has the Steph Curry range.” Such accolades highlight Clark’s growing reputation within the league.
O’Neal’s advocacy extends beyond praising individual players. He asserts the need for equal pay within the WNBA, boldly declaring, “Now it’s time for equal pay.” His hope is to see women players earning salaries comparable to their male counterparts, with desires for figures as high as $10 million to $20 million per year. O’Neal emphasizes the importance of fan support, urging them to continue attending games and purchasing merchandise to help boost the financial viability of the league. “The fans have to continue to support ... you gotta keep (going) to the games, buying merch,” he said.
His comments come at a pivotal moment as discussions about women’s professional sports continue to capture the spotlight. The WNBA, much like its male counterpart, attracts significant talent, but the financial disparities remain stark. Las Vegas Aces player Kelsey Plum has echoed similar sentiments, explaining how WNBA players aren’t asking for the same salaries as LeBron James but aim for the same revenue-sharing structures. “I don’t think I should get paid the same as LeBron,” Plum stated, “but the percentage of revenue — like for example: they sell my jersey ... I don’t get a dime.” This perspective sheds light on the frustrations within the WNBA, where players feel they deserve at least some recognition and compensation from merchandise sales linked to their efforts.
The competition for individual accolades, such as the Rookie of the Year award, is also heating up, particularly between Clark and Reese. The race is expected to be close as both players have made significant impacts this season. With Clark leading her team to the playoffs and Reese recently being sidelined due to injury, the stakes are high. It’s unfortunate for Reese, who was reportedly leading the league with 13.1 rebounds per game before her season-ending wrist injury.
This injury has undoubtedly affected her eligibility for the award, with Clark now favored to take home the accolade. O’Neal expresses optimism about the rivalry between these two young stars, believing it is “good for the game.” He explained, “You can make little games of it. Now you can say, OK, Caitlin’s in the playoffs, is Angel going to make the playoffs? Little games keep their names going. I’m happy for both of them; I’m happy for women’s sports.”
Looking forward, the WNBA stands on the brink of potential change. Negotiations for the league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) are set to begin in 2025, offering players like Clark and Reese the opportunity to push for improvements. Players are calling for equitable revenue-sharing structures similar to those negotiated by the NBA. Currently, the relationships between the WNBA’s players and its financial framework leave much to be desired. The sentiment from players is clear—they want their talents to be acknowledged with compensation reflective of their hard work and contribution to the sport.
Both young stars represent the bright future of women’s basketball, and with more support and visibility, the WNBA could well begin moving toward greater pay equity. O’Neal’s endorsement of Clark, along with his advocacy for fair salaries across the league, shines light on the growing awareness and demand for change within women’s sports.
