Draymond Green’s Opinion on NBA vs WNBA Is Not For Fainthearted: “Like Tesla & General Motors”

The comparison between the NBA and the WNBA is a never-ending debate in the sporting world. The conversations often revolve around the gender pay gap between the athletes. Mostly, NBA players stay away from making any opinion on the affair to stay out of trouble. However, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green picked up the mic and dropped his opinion on the comparison.

In the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show, the Dubs star made a questionable comparison of the two leagues. He started by saying that the women are doing a “disservice” to themselves to even draw comparisons in the first place. Green also clarified that he wasn’t even talking about the game aspect but strictly from a business point of view. He pointed out the age of both leagues and said, “The difference in between 50 years for a company is drastic.” 

Following that, DrayMagic went on a spree to drop comparisons. He added, “It’s like night and day. It’s like General Motors and Tesla… Drastic difference… Strictly from a time standpoint, a baby to like a grandfather. 50 years is a long time .” Moreover, he credited the NBA’s head-start for the massive growth. After a flurry of questionable comparisons, he also said that women rightly “deserved” the credits that have come their way in recent times.

The WNBA came into the picture when the NBA’s Board of Governors approved it in 1996 and played its first game in 1997. Also, the league valuation currently stands at $475 million in its 27 years. Comparatively, the NBA has grown into a bigwig in the last 75-odd years with a total revenue of over $100 billion.

Notably, $10 billion of it came in during 2022. Whereas, the WNBA which is owned by the men’s league earns around $10 to $15 million annually, as per Sports Business Journal. With these dangerous realities, the gender pay gap is indeed a major concern for athletes.

How can the disparity between the NBA and WNBA be solved?

Over the years, many WNBA players have come forward and spoken about it. Speaking of the pay disparity discourse, during the 2024 WNBA draft, Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson made a strong case. She said, “I feel like it happens all the time when we’re in the draft, everybody always brings the contracts up and sees the difference, but it’s been like that for a year.” 

She further urged her fellow athletes to voice out for the cause and encourage more investors into the league. When the update about #1 draft pick Caitlin Clark’s expected salary of $75,000 surfaced, everyone brought in the Victor Wembanyama comparison.

Nevertheless, the NBA took a special step in the regular season during the All-Star weekend. The league introduced the 3-point contest between Stephen Curry and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu. And, it became an instant hit. Moreover, the stars even promised to make it regular in the upcoming seasons.

Similarly, if both leagues come forward with creative collaborations, the WNBA could get a boost to increase its value and reduce the gender pay gap.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, this video