Former Phoenix Mercury guard Sug Sutton, recognized for her impactful play from the bench, expresses that her contract serves as a driving force for improvement.
On June 27, Liz Dixon found herself reflecting on the challenges of surviving on a WNBA minimum contract while sitting on a furniture piece in the hallway of the Verizon 5G Performance Center. She felt the instability of her one-year, $64,154 deal that offered little security.
Dixon shared her concerns about the precariousness of being on a minimum deal, explaining that teams can easily replace players with others who have the same salary. “One of the hardships is teams can get anybody under minimal contracts,” she noted. “Even though I am making the minimum payment, am I still needed? Am I still an asset to them?”
Though the Mercury waived Dixon just five days later, the team re-signed her in early July. Similarly, team members Natasha Mack, Mikiah Herbert-Harrigan, and Sug Sutton have faced the trials of playing on minimum contracts.
Sutton, who was traded to the Washington Mystics in late August, conveyed that the pressure associated with earning a minimum salary is a common sentiment among players.
“The thought of comparing myself to others can be tough,” Sutton admitted. She mentioned her desire to support her family, a burden that adds stress to living on a minimum salary.
While the WNBA minimum contract will see an increase from $64,154 to $70,103 by 2027, it remains significantly lower than the NBA’s minimum, which for players with two years of experience is projected to exceed $2 million.
Marcus Johnson, a financial advisor, highlighted that while a $64,000 salary is considered average in Phoenix, it doesn’t equate to a wealthy lifestyle.
Mack, who grew up in Lufkin, Texas, below the poverty line, values her current role despite not earning much. She credits her upbringing as key to understanding how to manage her finances wisely.
Herbert-Harrigan also experiences the weight of balancing motherhood and her career, stating that the challenges of making the WNBA roster can be significant, especially when support from overseas is needed to supplement her income.
WNBA players often augment their salaries by competing overseas during the offseason, where they can earn considerably more than their WNBA salaries.
Natasha Cloud, a Mercury guard, called attention to the improvements made by the league in compensation since the last collective bargaining agreement in 2020, though she insists more focus needs to be placed on minimum salary players as new deals emerge.
“Honestly, when you talk about a minimum salary, it’s not players that I want to talk to. It’s the league,” Cloud remarked, emphasizing that the league’s structure often overlooks the majority of players who earn minimum contracts.
Cloud believes that success for players often lies in mastering their defined roles within the team. Sutton embraces her role as an energizer off the bench and is motivated by the desire to improve and prove her worth, despite the financial limitations.
Dixon views her contract as an opportunity for self-reflection and seeking guidance from her support system to navigate her anxieties about her financial situation.
Her family reminds her to appreciate the present moment and control what she can.
Mack remains grateful for her opportunities and leans on her faith for support during challenging times, encouraging a day-by-day approach to life.
She also emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual journeys in the face of earnings inequality within the league.
Cloud wants players on minimum contracts to feel appreciated, emphasizing their crucial role in the league’s foundation and calling for greater recognition of their contributions.