Official Chicago Sky Thread - Sky WNBA CHAMPS!!!

[kulaz3000]

I have absolutely zero interest in women's basketball, and when I first read the title of this thread I thought it was something about a porn actress.

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&sourc ... 2082593657

Anyway, being a somewhat slow day, I thought I'd look her up on youtube to find some clips on her, and she seems pretty damn athletic for a girl her height. And I also found this ESPN Outside the Lines segment on her:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkWHrjdn5PY[/youtube]

[kulaz3000]

^^^ NVM

Wow. I had no idea the salaries were so shockingly low. WNBA average was $72,000 last year with the min being around $38,000 and max contract $105,000. But, I guess these women go overseas in the off season and the best of the them get big money.. $500,000 to $1 million for players like Delle Donne for a single season.

It really isn't a shock if you think about how little media attention it gets, and how little interest it gets outside of a pocket of WNBA fans in the states. It's simply not a global attention grabbing sport unfortunately, just like many other sports.

[Johnny Kilroy]

That story about her on OTL is unbelievable. Forget basketball, she's one of the most impressive human beings I've ever seen.

[nitetrain8603]

I think they should make more, but the problem is, in the US not much interest is there. Unless your team is a dynasty, no one is ever checking for you. I mean, aren't the finals on cable? Espn2 out of all channels? And when the league first launched, it was on broadcast television.

[Benedict Miller]

She will be in the Hall of fame...I think she's the best player in the entire draft....Yes I said it...best in the draft!

[d boy gentleman]

@RatsaBull

Skylar needs to stay away from Wayne, not because of him being a misogynist, but because she would catch something from just being in the vicinity of him...

[johnnyvann840]

^^^ NVM

Wow. I had no idea the salaries were so shockingly low. WNBA average was $72,000 last year with the min being around $38,000 and max contract $105,000. But, I guess these women go overseas in the off season and the best of the them get big money.. $500,000 to $1 million for players like Delle Donne for a single season.

It really isn't a shock if you think about how little media attention it gets, and how little interest it gets outside of a pocket of WNBA fans in the states. It's simply not a global attention grabbing sport unfortunately, just like many other sports.

I can honestly say I've never been to a WNBA game and never even watched more than a few minutes of one. I knew the league was funded by the NBA and could not even survive without subsidies, so, I guess it doesn't really surprise me. Somehow, I thought the top players made at least hundreds of thousands (and I guess they do- but not in the WNBA.. Taurasi, Candace Parker and Lauren Jackson all made $1 million last off season playing overseas). But, they have to go to Europe to make even a few hundred thousand playing.

So how do WNBA players earning the league-minimum $36,570 salary get by? They spend the offseason playing overseas.

"If you're not coaching or doing something with your team in the U.S., you're overseas playing," said the Fever's Catchings, who has played abroad for eight of her 10 years in the WNBA. "I know some of my teammates, we lost on a Tuesday and some of them were overseas on that Friday and they'll get back in April."

Talk about unequal pay: The most a WNBA player can make in a season is $105,000. The Atlanta Hawks' Joe Johnson this season will make more than $272,000 -- per game.

Agent Bruce Levy said players can add to the average $72,000 WNBA salary by playing overseas, where a typical seven-month contract starts at $40,000. Marquee players can make as much $600,000, including incentives, for one season. With virtually no salary restrictions, two or three players can reach $1 million, including bonuses, Levy said. Lauren Jackson, Parker and Taurasi will make $1 million playing overseas this season.

"There is no economic justification for it," Levy said, referring to high salaries for women's professional players overseas. "There is no college ball in Europe. This is like a surrogate.

http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/75 ... h-overseas

[bledredwine]

Wow, what a sweet heart.

The upcoming year should be a great sports year in Chicago.

[johnnyvann840]

That story about her on OTL is unbelievable. Forget basketball, she's one of the most impressive human beings I've ever seen.

I agree... she's pretty impressive. Easy to fall in love with her watching that and the more I read about her, the more I like her, as a person.

I might even watch a game or two this summer, just to see her play.

[Benedict Miller]

She will be in the Hall of fame...I think she's the best player in the entire draft....Yes I said it...best in the draft!

[Michael Jackson]

That story about her on OTL is unbelievable. Forget basketball, she's one of the most impressive human beings I've ever seen.

It was impressive, not that she is the only person facing a situation like this. You have to feel for Lizzie

[Droseisthe1]

female version of KD

Yes she can put it on the floor, shoot 3s and grab boards and post up. she's like 6'4" with guard skills. Fellas, I think we just got a future hall of famer in our hands

[Spike_bull]

No Way she would have a chance in the LUVABULLS... she is too pretty for that

[Michael Jackson]

female version of KD

Yes she can put it on the floor, shoot 3s and grab boards and post up. she's like 6'4" with guard skills. Fellas, I think we just got a future hall of famer in our hands

Maybe the Bulls should draft her?

[Mech Engineer]

Maybe in another 3 years if the Bulls don't find a SG, they might try her out if she is like a quicker, younger Rip(take one dribble and shoot well) or come off screens. Sorry if it feels sexist but I think she will be stronger than Rip.

[Spimothy Leary]

couldn't bring myself to watch any of this, actually I haven't made it thru more than about 45 seconds of any wnba game since its inception.

as far as women's sports, i'll stick with soccer, tennis, and of course.. Volleyball

[Al Swearengen]

Man, those girls must really love the game. They go through all the bad parts of being a pro athlete, without most of the perks that NBA stars get (fame/recognition, staying in nice hotels, private team jets, endorsements etc). With a league minimum around 35k?

Also, can the Bulls give this girl a look at SG? That step back jumper she has is sweeeeeet.

[HyMay]

I was hoping they selected Skyler Diggins. From a marketing standpoint she is perfect for Chicago. She can ball, looks good, and from Indy. But I guess I'll stick to not watching.

[WestsideResider]

Skylar was right there, smh

[MrFortune3]

great pick for the sky. plus her good looks are great for marketing.
hopefully she can do for the Sky what Derrick did for the Bulls. she is like a mixture of Dirk and KD.