As we all know, some of the WNBA’s biggest supporters are its NBA brethren – past and present. From LeBron James to Kyrie Irving to Devin Booker to the late, great Kobe Bryant, some of the NBA’s biggest names have been unapologetic in rallying behind the W.
Enter Enes Kanter of the Boston Celtics, who knows all about facing injustice head-on given him and the Turkish government not exactly seeing eye to eye. He wrote an article in Time Magazine shedding light on the continuing battles WNBA players have to fight in terms of pay and media coverage.
After making it professionally, they continue to battle for equitable pay, balanced media portrayal and fair treatment. They have to fight two battles – one on the court and the other off court.
–Enes Kanter (Time Magazine)
Kanter credited the United States Women’s National Soccer Team with advancing the conversation on equal pay for women. The team won last year’s World Cup and the topic of equal pay came up on numerous occasions during the team’s victory parade in New York City.
He referenced an A’ja Wilson tweet about LeBron James’ salary, the WNBA’s new CBA with the WNBPA, which calls for a more player-friendly revenue sharing structure and Skylar Diggins-Smith’s revelation that she played the entire 2018 season pregnant.
In the NBA, we adopted a rule in the 2019-20 season to have a mental health professional on staff. The WNBA doesn’t have this rule. Here are these women, playing the same sport we are, receiving less than we do. And not just in pay – it’s about being seen as an athlete, regardless of gender.
–Enes Kanter (Time Magazine)
Pay disparity isn’t only a women’s issue; this is a human-rights issue. These women are our peers who, just like those of us in the NBA, inspire the next generation.
–Enes Kanter (Time Magazine)
The article is part of a project Time Magazine has undertaken to bring the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom as well as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech to virtual reality. Time will also have an exhibit opening on Feb. 28 (lasting through November) at the DuSable Museum of African-American History in Chicago.
Viola Davis is the initiative’s executive producer and narrator.
Pay disparity isn’t only a women’s issue,
this is a Human Rights issue.Please read my Op-Ed with @TIME @WNBA players deserve EQUALITY https://t.co/yfWhpOOxUQ
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) February 20, 2020
The more we all voice our support for women, the more united we will be as people.
–Enes Kanter (Time Magazine)
