After the No. 1 draft pick was announced for the Indiana Fever in the W.N.B.A., ticket prices for the team skyrocketed. The player, known for her impressive long-distance shots and large following, has gained attention from sponsors like Nike and even made an appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” However, despite her popularity, her first-year salary is only $76,535, sparking a nationwide debate on pay equity for women in sports leagues. The disparity in wages can be attributed to the W.N.B.A.’s lack of profitability compared to the N.B.A. The league relies on the N.B.A. for funding and generates substantially less revenue. The W.N.B.A. was established in 1996 to attract new fans to women’s basketball, but it has been a slow process to reach the same level of success as the N.B.A.
