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Shaquille O’Neal calls for WNBA players to have "similar contracts" to NBA after $286.3 million career
Shaquille O'Neal has been one of many NBA stars advocating for more exposure for the WNBA. The four-time champion is excited to see all the changes the league has experienced this season but still wants to see more, especially when it comes to salaries and contracts.
Shaq attended the final Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever clash of the 2024-25 season on Friday, where he had the chance to talk about the W's salaries. The "Big Diesel," who earned $286,344,668 during his career, per Spotrac, said the next step for women should be to get contracts similar to those of some NBA players.
"I'm glad they're getting exposure. They definitely deserve [it]. Now we just gotta get 'em similar contracts than what some of these NBA guys are making," O'Neal said during an ION broadcast.
With the new billion-dollar TV rights deal the NBA agreed to with Amazon, NBC and Disney, the WNBA got a $2.2 billion agreement that will have a major effect on players' salaries. In 2024, the WNBA supermax is $241,984, while a player with two or fewer years of service is $64,154. The ones with three or more years of experience get $76,535.
On the other end, we saw Jayson Tatum sign the largest contract in NBA history, a five-year, $315 million deal with the Boston Celtics, fresh off winning his first Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
The WNBA is on the right track, and having established stars like A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier and Arike Ogunbowale in addition to young faces like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink and prospects-in-waiting such as JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers, the W has a bright future.
It remains to be seen if the league will cash in on this big moment and set itself up for decades by providing a good product and marketing its best players.
Shaquille O'Neal says WNBA star is like a daughter to him
Shaquille O'Neal discussed a variety of topics on Friday night, including his relationship with Angel Reese. The LA Lakers and Miami Heat icon expressed excitement watching his first Reese game as a pro while getting a closer look at Caitlin Clark.
"I'm very excited. It's my first time watching her (Reese) play as a pro and I get to see Caitlin Clark up close in person," Shaq said. "So looking forward to the game."
Furthermore, he explained the type of relationship he's developed with Reese.
"She is like a daughter to me, so I'm gonna protect her," Shaq said. "I'll call her and I'll just mess with her but it's great. She's our daughter."
The WNBA is in good hands, and it's up to the league to become another strong competition in the eyes of American fans.
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