Portnoy Champions WNBA Players Amid Salary Dispute

Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy has strongly supported WNBA players' push for higher salaries, citing surges in TV ratings (up 23%), ticket sales (up 26%), and a new $2.2 billion media rights deal as evidence of the league's rapid growth. Portnoy criticizes those opposing pay increases and highlights the low rookie salaries, such as Caitlin Clark's $76,000, as disproportionate to the league's success. He questions claims about the WNBA's financial losses, arguing they are often used to suppress player compensation. Portnoy believes players now have significant leverage in collective bargaining due to the league's marketability and growth. He has expressed willingness to invest $250 million in a WNBA franchise and predicts the league could soon achieve billion-dollar valuations. Overall, Portnoy maintains that WNBA players deserve a much fairer share of the league's expanding revenues.