The debate about the salary between male and female athletes in professional basketball once again exploded when many WNBA players were considering strike to protest the serious income difference compared to NBA. Among them, Angel Reese – one of the bright talents of female basketball – publicly stated that she would “sit outside” if she did not receive a worthy remuneration.

The comparison between the rookie salary of Caitlin Clark ($ 76,500) and Victor Wembanyama (US $ 12.1 million) is spreading strongly on social networks, sparking a fierce controversial wave of income equality. This huge difference reflects the situation that the WNBA players have faced for many years: low salary, limited working conditions and few trade opportunities compared to male colleagues.

Angel Reese, one of the bright stars of university basketball and is an influential face among young people, not hesitating to speak out about this injustice. She said that the female players also spent their efforts and dedicated no less than male colleagues, but received too low salaries and benefits. “We deserve to be paid more fairly,” Reese said in a recent interview.

The struggle for the rights of WNBA female players is not new, but with the participation of young stars like Reese, this battle may turn to a new stage. She and many other colleagues are considering a strike plan – a move that can create great pressure on the tournament and sponsors.

Over the years, WNBA has tried to improve the salary and benefits for the players. The WNBA player Association (WNBPA) has negotiated more beneficial contracts, including bonuses and better working conditions. However, the income gap between NBA and WNBA is still too large. The main reason is said to be a difference in revenue: NBA brings billions of dollars each year thanks to television and funding contracts, while WNBA is still having difficulty attracting audiences and investors.

However, with the strong development of female basketball in recent years, many believe that WNBA has the potential to grow revenue and improve the salary for players. The fact that stars like Angel Reese spoke not only helped raise awareness about this issue but also can promote real changes in the system.