WNBA legend Diana Taurasi has joined the long list of former and active athletes to blast salaries in the league.
In a trailer for an upcoming docuseries about her career, the WNBA‘s all-time scoring leader didn’t hold back in an expletive-laden rant about the lowly contracts she received during her career
“I’m the best player in the world, and I have to go to a communist country to get paid like a capitalist,” Taurasi said, alluding to her time travelling to Russia.
“The f***ing janitor at the arena made more than me,” she later added.
Taurasi’s rookie salary with the Phoenix Mercury in 2004 after her tenure at UConn was just $42,000.
Over time, that salary went up with her last deal before she retired in March 2025 being a two-year $469,872 contract.
It meant her earnings during her 20-year career in the league hit $1.38 million
The lowest-paid rookie in the NBA will make that same figure in just one season.
Taurasi managed to rake in much more abroad.
Her wealthy international career began in 2005 with the Russian Premier League team Dynamo Moscow, where she was the star.
She then joined rivals Spartak Moscow before joining Turkish team Fenerbahce.
Taurasi’s international career ended in 2017 with UMMC Ekaterinburg of the Euroleague after a six-year run with the franchise.
Her international accolades are stunning as she left Europe as being six-time EuroLeague champion and a seven-time Russian National League champion.
Taurasi’s rant went viral on social media, and while many agreed with her sentiment, some questioned her demand for better pay.
“The brand has to generate income. She thinks that she deserves it, but whose money does she expect to pay her? The league is subsidized by the NBA,” one fan posted on X.
“Until the WNBA becomes profitable, I can’t see how you can want more money,” another wrote.
The WNBA is not profitable
It is true that the WNBA is subsidised by the NBA, with the men’s league owning 60% of the women’s league.
Since its inception in 1997, the WNBA has never turned a profit.
Pre-2023 annual losses were around $10 million and 2024 saw that number balloon to $50 million, even as league revenues grew to over $200 million.
However, the WNBA is enjoying tremendous growth with viewership, average attendance and record investments into the league.
The league is expanding and interest is growing, with many arguing the WNBA is just a business in its infancy, having not even existed for 30 years, a short time for a premier sports league.
Therefore, like all businesses of this magnitude, it needs time to grow.
Diana Taurasi’s prediction for Caitlin Clark
Taurasi also made a bold Caitlin Clark prediction.
The all-time great argued that Clark is the obvious player for the next Nike signature shoe, despite only being in the league for two years.
“Caitlin, of course,” Taurasi said.
“I mean, I know she has some (player exclusives), little colorways, but you can do that on Nike ID. I mean the next Caitlin shoe should be the next one, and you know my kids will be wearing it.”
Fellow WNBA star Angel Reese, who is endorsed by Reebok, has already received her signature shoe.