Kareem Adbul-Jabbar opens the conversation:
The easiest way to determine women’s value to their culture is to look at how much we pay them in relation to men. Some studies suggest that in general women make less doing the same jobs as men (the Census Bureau concludes that women earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn). This national trend extends to professional sports. According to Forbes, the maximum salary for a player in the WNBA is $107,000, compared to the $30.5 million Kobe Bryant will make. Inbee Park, who won the 2013 U.S. Open in golf, received $585,000 for her victory. Justin Rose, the men’s winner, received $1.4 million. This disparity is seen less in tennis because England’s Wimbledon, the French Open, and the U.S. Open all pay men and women winners equally (which is why of the 10 top-paid female athletes in the world, seven of them are tennis players).
This discrepancy extends to coaching as well. For Division I college sports, men get paid significantly more. Male basketball head coaches averaged $71,511, while women coaches averaged $39,177. Even in gymnastics, which is predominantly female, the men coaches are paid more. This doesn’t even address the fact that there are more opportunities for males than females to play sports, both as amateurs and professionals.
Many will argue that the pay difference is the result of free market supply and demand. More people want to see men play professional basketball than want to see women play, so the players are paid accordingly. You can’t argue economics. There is truth to this. You can’t force people to attend a sporting event if they don’t want to.
However, this is something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. We can change things. First, we need to address why they don’t want to watch. This goes back to cultural biases. If we don’t value girls’ sports in middle school and high school, then we don’t grow up to value them as professional athletes. And by value, I mean make athletic opportunities available, pay coaches equally, and promote female sports with the same vigor as we do male sports.
Yes.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Diamond DeShields will transfer to Tennessee
The rumors are true:
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The consensus 2014 women's basketball national freshman of the year is relocating to Rocky Top, Tennessee head coach Holly Warlick confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
Six-foot-one guard Diamond DeShields, who averaged 18.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game as a rookie at North Carolina in 2013-14, has signed an SEC Grant In Aid and will begin attending classes during the second session of summer school on July 3. She will have to sit out the 2014-15 season per NCAA transfer rules and has three seasons of eligibility remaining, beginning with the 2015-16 campaign.
"We're very excited to announce that Diamond DeShields is joining the Tennessee family," Warlick said. "She's experienced, athletic and passionate, and she has a great knowledge of the game. Diamond has been highly successful at every level of basketball, and her impact on our program will be immediate."
It's a whole new Tennessee.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The consensus 2014 women's basketball national freshman of the year is relocating to Rocky Top, Tennessee head coach Holly Warlick confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
Six-foot-one guard Diamond DeShields, who averaged 18.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game as a rookie at North Carolina in 2013-14, has signed an SEC Grant In Aid and will begin attending classes during the second session of summer school on July 3. She will have to sit out the 2014-15 season per NCAA transfer rules and has three seasons of eligibility remaining, beginning with the 2015-16 campaign.
"We're very excited to announce that Diamond DeShields is joining the Tennessee family," Warlick said. "She's experienced, athletic and passionate, and she has a great knowledge of the game. Diamond has been highly successful at every level of basketball, and her impact on our program will be immediate."
It's a whole new Tennessee.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
White House visit, pride, and Nigerian activism
Tonight's result:
The Fever overcame the Storm, 76-68.
More WNBA news.....
Lynx:
...are preparing for their White House visit tomorrow.
Today's practice report.
Sun:
Get to know Alex Bentley.
Storm:
A 15th anniversary celebration is planned for July 31.
Mercury:
The evolution of Diana Taurasi.
Outside the lines:
The WNBA is finally celebrating gay pride.
Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike are raising funds for girls education in Nigeria.
Waltiea Rolle was bitter after being cut the the Lynx last month.
College news:
The new South Carolina Gamecocks have arrived on campus.
Aisha Stewart is Arkansas State's new assistant coach.
New VCU assistant coaches are Rob Norris and Kate DeSorrento.
St. Mary's new assistant coach is Melissa Kolbe.
The Fever overcame the Storm, 76-68.
More WNBA news.....
Lynx:
...are preparing for their White House visit tomorrow.
Today's practice report.
Sun:
Get to know Alex Bentley.
Storm:
A 15th anniversary celebration is planned for July 31.
Mercury:
The evolution of Diana Taurasi.
Outside the lines:
The WNBA is finally celebrating gay pride.
Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike are raising funds for girls education in Nigeria.
Waltiea Rolle was bitter after being cut the the Lynx last month.
College news:
The new South Carolina Gamecocks have arrived on campus.
Aisha Stewart is Arkansas State's new assistant coach.
New VCU assistant coaches are Rob Norris and Kate DeSorrento.
St. Mary's new assistant coach is Melissa Kolbe.
Sparks sign Prahalis to fill in for departed Toliver
The Sparks have signed free agent Samantha Prahalis to fill in for Kristi Toliver, who has gone back to training camp for the Slovak National Team.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Sky reel from injuries, illnesses, despite Prince's return
The Storm beat the Sky, 80-76. Chicago can't get a break right now. Epiphanny Prince came back, and scored 18 points with six assists. But Elena Delle Donne sat, suffering from a Lyme Disease flare up. Yikes.
The Shock grabbed their second win, downing the Liberty, 72-57. Skylar Diggins lead Tulsa with 21 points, and Courtney Paris had her fifth double-double on the season with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
The Mercury defeated the Mystics, 81-66, behind Brittney Griner's 20 points.
More WNBA news......
Fever:
All-Star forward Tamika Catching says "basketball is a universal language" in discussing the team's diversity night tomorrow.
Mystics:
A minute with rookies Bria Hartley and Stefanie Dolson, who visited the White House with their former UConn teammates yesterday.
Lynx:
Today's practice report.
Asia Taylor blogs about her adjustment to the pros.
Liberty:
Sugar Rodgers is getting ready to publish her autobiography while she adjusts to a new team.
The Shock grabbed their second win, downing the Liberty, 72-57. Skylar Diggins lead Tulsa with 21 points, and Courtney Paris had her fifth double-double on the season with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
The Mercury defeated the Mystics, 81-66, behind Brittney Griner's 20 points.
More WNBA news......
Fever:
All-Star forward Tamika Catching says "basketball is a universal language" in discussing the team's diversity night tomorrow.
Mystics:
A minute with rookies Bria Hartley and Stefanie Dolson, who visited the White House with their former UConn teammates yesterday.
Lynx:
Today's practice report.
Asia Taylor blogs about her adjustment to the pros.
Liberty:
Sugar Rodgers is getting ready to publish her autobiography while she adjusts to a new team.
Monday, June 9, 2014
The beat goes on......and on and on and on
Let's get right to the news......
Sky:
A struggling Epiphanny Prince is trying to find answers:
Having grown up in the projects of Brooklyn, Prince left Rutgers after her junior year so that she could start earning income for her parents and family.
She plays in Russia and still supports her family, which has made it difficult for her to slow down.
Just, wow.
Also, get to know Jess Breland.
Fever:
Coaching legend Lin Dunn nears the end of the road.
Diversity night/Lin Dunn Hall of Fame recognition is prior to Wednesday's game against Seattle.
Dream:
Celine Dumerc's first week in the league was documented by French journalists.
Liberty:
Essence Carson has come back from injury.
Stars:
Rookie Kayla McBride is adjusting to the WNBA.
Mercury:
Brittney Griner's improvement has meant a hot start for Phoenix.
Anatomy of a road trip.
Storm:
Center Lauren Jackson had a third knee surgery in late May.
Lynx:
Get to know rookie Asia Taylor.
Take aways from the weekend.
WNBA's players of the week:
Diana Taurasi for the West and Erika de Souza for the East.
ESPN's power rankings:
Do you agree with ESPN's team rankings?
1. Lynx
2. Mercury
3. Dream
4. Sky
5. Sparks
6. Mystics
7. Fever
8. Stars
9. Storm
10. Sun
11. Liberty
12. Shock
Four early candidates for WNBA COY?:
Swishappeal says Cheryl Reeve, Sandy Brondello, Mike Thibault and Pokey Chatman stand out from the rest.
I say Reeve, Brondello and Michael Cooper.
College news:
Leticia Romero, who had to battle Kansas State to get a release from scholarship, is transferring to Florida State.
The 2013-2014 UConn team was honored at the White House today for their National Championship.
Whether or not the NCAA will have to pay athletes for use of their likeness in ads and other products is now on trial.
Kelly Cole is the new head coach at Northeastern.
Jocelyn Wyatt joins Penn State as an assistant coach.
Mallory Luckett has been promoted to assistant coach at South Alabama.
Former Duke players in the WNBA update.
Former Missouri star Bri Kulas still hopes to give the WNBA a try.
Sky:
A struggling Epiphanny Prince is trying to find answers:
Having grown up in the projects of Brooklyn, Prince left Rutgers after her junior year so that she could start earning income for her parents and family.
She plays in Russia and still supports her family, which has made it difficult for her to slow down.
Just, wow.
Also, get to know Jess Breland.
Fever:
Coaching legend Lin Dunn nears the end of the road.
Diversity night/Lin Dunn Hall of Fame recognition is prior to Wednesday's game against Seattle.
Dream:
Celine Dumerc's first week in the league was documented by French journalists.
Liberty:
Essence Carson has come back from injury.
Stars:
Rookie Kayla McBride is adjusting to the WNBA.
Mercury:
Brittney Griner's improvement has meant a hot start for Phoenix.
Anatomy of a road trip.
Storm:
Center Lauren Jackson had a third knee surgery in late May.
Lynx:
Get to know rookie Asia Taylor.
Take aways from the weekend.
WNBA's players of the week:
Diana Taurasi for the West and Erika de Souza for the East.
ESPN's power rankings:
Do you agree with ESPN's team rankings?
1. Lynx
2. Mercury
3. Dream
4. Sky
5. Sparks
6. Mystics
7. Fever
8. Stars
9. Storm
10. Sun
11. Liberty
12. Shock
Four early candidates for WNBA COY?:
Swishappeal says Cheryl Reeve, Sandy Brondello, Mike Thibault and Pokey Chatman stand out from the rest.
I say Reeve, Brondello and Michael Cooper.
College news:
Leticia Romero, who had to battle Kansas State to get a release from scholarship, is transferring to Florida State.
The 2013-2014 UConn team was honored at the White House today for their National Championship.
Whether or not the NCAA will have to pay athletes for use of their likeness in ads and other products is now on trial.
Kelly Cole is the new head coach at Northeastern.
Jocelyn Wyatt joins Penn State as an assistant coach.
Mallory Luckett has been promoted to assistant coach at South Alabama.
Former Duke players in the WNBA update.
Former Missouri star Bri Kulas still hopes to give the WNBA a try.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Lynx, Liberty dominate
3X3 team claims gold medal
Cierra Burdick, Jewell Loyd, Tiffany Mitchell and Sara Hammond, aka the USA's 3X3 team, claimed the gold medal earlier today at the World Championship in Moscow. They beat the host team Russia, 15-8, to win.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
More unlikely results
Who would have thought that the Dream would crush the Sky? But they did, 97-59.
The Sun beat the Fever, 88-71, and the leading scorer was Alex Bentley - not Chiney Ogwumike.
It took two overtimes, but the Mercury got by the Stars, 91-79.
Does the season seem more exciting to you already, as it does to some of my friends? I think it may be the phenomenal rookie class of 2014. Not to mention all the 2013 draftees who have improved.
I'm buckling up, as the Lynx are here in Los Angeles to play the Sparks tomorrow. It should be a blood bath (again).
USA Basketball bonus:
Our 3X3 team took down Uruguay and France today to advance to the semifinals.
The Sun beat the Fever, 88-71, and the leading scorer was Alex Bentley - not Chiney Ogwumike.
It took two overtimes, but the Mercury got by the Stars, 91-79.
Does the season seem more exciting to you already, as it does to some of my friends? I think it may be the phenomenal rookie class of 2014. Not to mention all the 2013 draftees who have improved.
I'm buckling up, as the Lynx are here in Los Angeles to play the Sparks tomorrow. It should be a blood bath (again).
USA Basketball bonus:
Our 3X3 team took down Uruguay and France today to advance to the semifinals.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Alternate universe
Interesting night:
The Fever rallied for a 64-61 win over the Mystics.
The Shock grabbed their first victory of the season by creaming the Mercury, 94-78.
The Sparks stopped a two-game losing skid by routing the Sky, 102-88.
The Storm took down the previously-undefeated Lynx, 65-62.
Which means Sunday's Lynx at Sparks match up will be its usual interesting slugfest between the two Western Conference powers.
Another thought: Skylar Diggins had 20 points and nine assists for Tulsa, in yet another great showing. Perhaps the Diggins haters will shut up now.
Yet another thought: Elena Delle Donne.....33 points. Amazing player.
The Fever rallied for a 64-61 win over the Mystics.
The Shock grabbed their first victory of the season by creaming the Mercury, 94-78.
The Sparks stopped a two-game losing skid by routing the Sky, 102-88.
The Storm took down the previously-undefeated Lynx, 65-62.
Which means Sunday's Lynx at Sparks match up will be its usual interesting slugfest between the two Western Conference powers.
Another thought: Skylar Diggins had 20 points and nine assists for Tulsa, in yet another great showing. Perhaps the Diggins haters will shut up now.
Yet another thought: Elena Delle Donne.....33 points. Amazing player.
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