Former Phoenix Mercury guard Sug Sutton, celebrated for her dynamic contributions off the bench, is using her contract situation as a catalyst for personal growth and performance enhancement.
On June 27, Liz Dixon shared her experiences of living on a WNBA minimum contract while sitting in the Verizon 5G Performance Center. She expressed her concerns about the precariousness of her one-year, $64,154 deal, which lacks security. Just five days later, the Mercury waived Dixon.
“The challenge is that teams have the flexibility to sign players with minimal contracts,” Dixon remarked. “You’re already the lowest-paid player, and if the team decides they need someone else, they can easily replace you with another player at the same salary. So you can’t help but wonder, ‘Am I still valuable to them?’”
Dixon was re-signed by the Mercury in early July. Other players like Natasha Mack, Mikiah Herbert-Harrigan, and Sug Sutton have faced similar challenges with minimum contracts.
Sutton, who was traded to the Washington Mystics in late August, acknowledged the pressure of being on a minimum salary, stating, “Any player probably feels that they’re always under pressure with the minimum salary in the WNBA.” She also spoke about the strain of financial responsibility to her family, noting how it can be particularly tough to provide for them on a minimum salary.
Despite the WNBA minimum contract increasing to $70,103 by 2027—up from $64,154 in 2020—it still pales in comparison to the NBA’s minimum salaries. NBA players with two years of experience earn $2,087,519 on minimum deals, which will rise to $2,778,488 in 2027.
The WNBA began in 1996, 47 years after the NBA, leading some to argue that comparing salary figures is unfair due to the different origins and revenue scales of the leagues. Nonetheless, the disparity remains a significant issue for players earning minimum contracts.
Marcus Johnson of Johnson Financial Advisors described the WNBA’s minimum salary as “average” for the Phoenix area, emphasizing that while it isn’t poverty-level, it does not allow for a comfortable lifestyle.
Mack, who grew up in Lufkin, Texas, experienced financial hardships that fostered her appreciation for her current role. Reflecting on her early life, she mentioned that luxury was out of reach, and living on a WNBA salary requires careful financial management.
Herbert-Harrigan shared the challenges of balancing being a mother and a professional athlete, especially during her child’s infancy. She expressed the difficulty of making it in the league on a minimum contract while having to consider additional opportunities overseas for greater financial stability.
Players often pursue overseas contracts during the offseason, where they can earn significantly more. Sutton, Dixon, Mack, and Herbert-Harrigan have all sought higher wages abroad to supplement their income.
Natasha Cloud, a guard for the Mercury, emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of players on minimum contracts. She highlighted the advancements made in the WNBA since the 2020 collective bargaining agreement but stressed that more attention should be given to those at the bottom of the pay scale.
“Minimum salary players are not the ones I want to talk to; it’s the league that needs to be held accountable,” Cloud asserted. “While improvements were made, the structure often overlooks the majority of players who are critical to the league’s existence.”
Cloud shared her own journey from being a minimum-salary player to securing a two-year, $400,000 contract by mastering her role. She believes that understanding one’s purpose on a team is vital for career advancement.
Sutton recognizes her value as a key player coming off the bench, using her contractual situation as fuel for improvement. “Being under the salary cap motivates me to improve and reach my goals,” she said.
Dixon views her contract as an opportunity to engage with her support network and have honest conversations about her development. “This situation encourages me to lean on my family for support and to self-reflect on areas where I can grow,” she noted.
Mack, reflecting on her upbringing, finds comfort in her faith during challenging times linked to her contract. “Having faith keeps me grounded,” she said. “I focus on taking life one day at a time and am grateful for this opportunity, knowing everyone has different journeys.”
Cloud wants players on minimum contracts to feel validated and appreciated for their contributions, underscoring that they are a fundamental part of the league. “They are the backbone of what this league represents, and it’s crucial that they feel seen and valued,” she stated.