Cappie Pondexter Speaks on WNBA Pay Gap: “It’s What We Deserve”

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Cappie Pondexter

Many streams of dialogue have picked up steam around the WNBA this season, including from seven-time All-Star and two-time champion, Cappie Pondexter. The dialogue mainly stems from the drastic difference in wage gaps between WNBA players and their NBA counterparts.

Pondexter recently commented that players would definitely take part in a potential strike if it was backed by other WNBA stars like Diana Taurasi and Elena Delle Donne.

Recently appearing on the dfree® Podcast, Pondexter was asked about the difference between women’s basketball fandom in the states and abroad.

Honestly they just care about women’s basketball a lot more than they do here in the states. That’s just the bottom line. It’s a part of the culture, they enjoy supporting the women that love to play sport and they love sport in general.

I think that alone is the biggest difference, they love to support it. They don’t mind giving up a dollar for their team to be successful in their country.

It’s what it should be here. It’s what we deserve.

When former WNBA star and current assistant San Antonio Spurs coach Becky Hammond was being considered as the head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, Pondexter commented about basketball not being about gender.

They always allude to us staying in the kitchen… we don’t need to play sports

But they don’t understand that sports brings confidence, it helps with fitness, with health… Women’s empowerment.. they don’t understand the impact that sport has in that aspect

It’s not just about the money but it changes so much about the woman in general.

Liz Cambage, the Austrailian who lit up the WNBA for over 22 points per game in her rookie season, has spoken out about the issue and why it make cause her to not return next season.

“I’ve said this many times: [The WNBA] doesn’t pay my bills … playing here doesn’t pay my bills. We make more money overseas. I’m ready to have next summer off and focus on getting a European contract where its 10 seasons here worth the pay.

“It sucks because I love to be here, I love to put the game out there, I love what comes with playing here. But at the end of the day, for my longevity, I worry about my body, my mind, and my soul. I really don’t get paid enough to be beaten up every game. I’m not a WWE wrestler and that’s how it feels sometimes out on the court.”

This WNBA offseason will hopefully continue the dialogue and introduce strategies to continue making the league more of a priority.

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Martin is the Founder, Chief Editor, and Head Skills Development Trainer for Basketball Society. He has work experience in digital media and marketing, radio, and journalism. Currently, he does freelance work as a videographer and content creator. He has been featured as a writer on sites such as Def Pen, TV Film News, All Hip-Hop, and more. Martin played high school basketball at South Brunswick High School (NJ) where he graduated in 2007. He is a 1,000-point scorer at SBHS and an All-Middlesex County performer as a 3-year varsity starter. He helped lead SBHS to their first-ever Central Jersey Group 4 sectional state championship in 2007. Martin played college basketball at Eastern University, where he graduated (BA, Communications) in 2012. Martin was a four-year starter and a 1,000-point scorer at EU. Follow Martin on Twitter @Marsoaries and on Instagram @martin_soaries

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