Good morning, sports fans! It's Friday, April 19th, and we have a packed post covering everything from the latest controversies in WNBA salaries to the thrilling gymnastics national championships and the kickoff of the NBA and NHL playoffs. So grab your coffee, and let's dive in!
WNBA Salary Controversy
President Joe Biden, to your Instagram feed, everyone's buzzing about Caitlin Clark's WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) rookie salary of $76,535, a fraction of her collegiate NIL valuation of $3.4M. However, reports say that Clark is close to finalizing an endorsement deal with Nike for a signature shoe and an eight-figure contract.
How’d they get to Clark’s salary number? WNBA players can receive 50% of league revenue, roughly the same as what NBA players receive. But (and this is a big but) it’s 50% of incremental revenue. That means that revenue must exceed targets that grow by 20% annually. Player salaries accounted for just 9.3% of league revenue in 2022 as they failed to hit their targets. But there is hope. The players’ union is expected to opt out of the current CBA after the 2025 season, also when the league will negotiate new broadcast contracts.
NCAA Gymnastics Championships
Heading into the finals, defending champions Oklahoma fall short, opening the door for California, Utah, Florida and LSU to claim the NCAA Gymnastics National Championship title. Keep an eye on Livvy Dunne, the face of women’s gymnastics with 5M followers and a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition feature. However, amidst the triumph, we must acknowledge the US Justice Department’s $100M settlement for victims of Larry Nassar's abuse.
Concussion Testing
Exciting developments in concussion testing pave the way for safer sports,
NBA Playoffs
Injuries cast shadows over the NBA (National Basketball Association) play-in tournament, which wraps tonight. The Miami Heat will play the Chicago Bulls, and the New Orleans Pelicans will take on the Sacramento Kings for the final spots in the playoffs. Due to injuries, key players Jimmy Butler and Zion Williamson won’t take the court.
The playoffs start Saturday with a quadruple-header, starting at 1 pm ET.
NHL Playoffs
The NHL (National Hockey League) playoffs also start on Saturday, but the conversation seems to be focused on the Arizona Coyotes' relocation to Salt Lake City, Utah. The NHL Board of Governors approved the sale of the franchise's hockey assets to Ryan and Ashley Smith, owners of the NBA's Utah Jazz and MLS’s (Major League Soccer) Real Salt Lake.
As we wrap up, remember to enjoy Taylor Swift's latest album and engage in conversations sparked by sports. From salary debates to championship triumphs, there's never a dull moment. I wish you a fantastic weekend.
Photo: Unsplash
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