Three of he biggest fan favorites in women's basketball - Deanna Nolan, Cheryl Ford and Janel McCarville - have been missing from the WNBA the last few years. Their agent, Mike Cound, said each has opted to play exclusively for overseas clubs because of their higher money-making potential. Cound characterized their decisions as risk-to-investment ratios.
"Nolan has made more over five years than she ever did in the WNBA," Cound said. "Cheryl lost three million because of two injuries."
"They can make up to $100,000 per month, whereas a job in the WNBA wouldn't make them $100,000 over four months. In the WNBA, the odds of them getting injured for what they're making per minute are imbalanced."
Nolan and Ford both played for the former Detroit Shock through 2009, and McCarville was on the New York Liberty roster through 2010.
Nolan has played for the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg for the past 6 years.
Both Ford and McCarville play for Canik Belidisyae in Turkey, and played together last year for Schio in Italy.
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4 comments:
This agent sounds like the smartest guy in the business. Considering the relatively short careers of most pro WBBallers and the high potential for career ending injuries it totally makes sense to work where they can make the most money.
I don't totally understand the economics of why they pay so much better in Europe, but if the WNBA can't compete for talent then the ballers should follow the money. That would either force the WNBA to change it's business model to compete for the European talent or risk having an uncompetitive league.
For whatever reason it appears that the W pro ballers are willing to work for "below market" rates. If that's the case that will obviously keep the overall W salaries down. If they refused to work for those dollars things would change. Might not be good change for everyone, but they would change.
Agent appears to be looking at it from "dollar paid per minute / risk of injury" perspective, which actually makes a lot of sense.
The other issue that has been discussed here before is the cumulative breakdown of bodies due to playing year round. Knees and hips can't take it. Just look at the post season surgery reports.
Smart guy. These ladies picked the right rep, that's for sure.
Mike Count is very smart, which is why he's the top agent for female ball players. It is indeed an investment in your body - your body is what gives you work in pro sports.
I have a story coming up this weekend where I talk more in depth to Cound and others, so stay tuned.
This is not that easy, There are a lot of pieces in the puzzle to make a decision to play or not in W. Ford's knees are messed up. Nolan is exclusively making a lot of money. But no one of this players have a change of having a marketing deal, so they don't have to play in W!
Deana Nolan is FINE. I hope she returns to the WNBA and one day shows them what they missed, Ms. Nolan....I wish I could speak to you.
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