[Sad State of the WNBA] Comets' Thompson Might Rather Play In Europe

[Cannonball]

http://sports.espn.go.com/wnba/news/story?id=2964955

HOUSTON -- Six-time WNBA All-Star Tina Thompson says she is seriously considering leaving the Houston Comets at the end of the season so she can make more money playing abroad.

Thompson told Houston television station KRIV that playing in the WNBA is not financially feasible for her anymore.

"I have played in this league for 11 years and I am not getting any younger," she said. "I am 32 years old and I have a 2-year-old son. So my focus is to make the best of my last years playing basketball."

Thompson said she is currently 70 percent sure about leaving the team but is in no hurry to decide.

[Stack24]

Couple of years and the league will be dissolved. I don't see it making any money.

[rezdawg]

What kind of salary are we talking here

Edit - n/m, just looked it up...wow, teams have a salary cap of around 750K...they get paid nothing.

[rocketfat]

[Sad State of your life] If You Give a Flying **** that Comets' Thompson Might Rather Play In Europe

[Storm Surge]

no wonder she wants to leave if she stays here then she will have to live with Damon Jones

[A-Train]

http://womensbasketballonline.com/wnba/rosters/salary.html

The maximum salary in the WNBA is $93,000 per year!

Are you kidding me?? Rashard Lewis makes that much per point!

[Air Langhi]

I can't believe the hilton guy paid 10 mil for the comets what was he thinking?

[xishi]

man im goin to miss her

[tested911]

http://womensbasketballonline.com/wnba/rosters/salary.html

The maximum salary in the WNBA is $93,000 per year!

Are you kidding me?? Rashard Lewis makes that much per point!

Not surprising to me.. Seriously though the WNBA is a lost cause... Who wants to pay to watch the WNBA? Even if you raised the cap to 2 million it wouldn't get more viewers.....

[BigSherv]

you beat me to it.

I can't believe the hilton guy paid 10 mil for the comets what was he thinking?

[Yao Wink]

The maximum salary in the WNBA is $93,000 per year!

Are you kidding me?? Rashard Lewis makes that much per point!

I can't ever see myself complaining about a professional athlete not making enough money. The season is something like four months and the pay does not include total benefits (any insurance, daily stipends, etc).

So what if a WNBA athlete has to supplement her income by playing overseas or something else during her 8 months off. I don't get what the problem is ...

[Bobblehead]

I can't believe the hilton guy paid 10 mil for the comets what was he thinking?

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/452/hiltonjackholecopybc4.jpg

[WhoMikeJames]

I can't believe the hilton guy paid 10 mil for the comets what was he thinking?

LOL! I agree, what a bad purchase on his part.

The only thing keeping the WNBA Alive IMO, is the NBA's wallet.

[JaWindex]

I can't believe the hilton guy paid 10 mil for the comets what was he thinking?


Where did that bum get $10 million in the first place?

[dntrwl]

Where did that bum get $10 million in the first place?
chainsawing little children to death and selling their organs to China

[JuLiO-R-]

Lower the goals so they can start dunking. It'll make it a little more exciting.

[MaxwellsTemper]

Who watches the WNBA other than the parents of the players? I think the salary cap is perfectly acceptable.. the league is already losing money as it is, if the cap went up they'd just be in more debt. I also think it could be gone in a couple of years.

[Ziggy]

WNBA games are what? 40 minutes long? They average what? 24 turnovers per game? Joke. Its a joke. Good riddance. Make me a sandwich.

[WhoMikeJames]

No Comets thread is allowed to NOT have this video.

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kAFbVYbeqn4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kAFbVYbeqn4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[dntrwl]

Lower the goals so they can start dunking. It'll make it a little more exciting.
that's the best idea I've heard yet..honestly..they have that friggin 7"2' chick who can't jump 5 inches to dunk, if they lower it to 9 feet it would be awesome to watch..what if they lowered the nba goal 6 inches..that'd be insane..dunkathon

[Ziggy]

No Comets thread is allowed to NOT have this video.

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kAFbVYbeqn4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kAFbVYbeqn4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Thats GOLD. GOLD

[A-Train]

I can't ever see myself complaining about a professional athlete not making enough money. The season is something like four months and the pay does not include total benefits (any insurance, daily stipends, etc).

So what if a WNBA athlete has to supplement her income by playing overseas or something else during her 8 months off. I don't get what the problem is ...

I'm not complaining. I honestly thought that the top WNBA stars made six figures

[JusBleezy]

I'm not complaining. I honestly thought that the top WNBA stars made six figures

Same here. To think Sheryl Swoopes as a 4-time champion and 1 or 2-time MVP wasn't making at least a $100,000 a year? Never thought she wasn't making at least that much.

that's the best idea I've heard yet..honestly..they have that friggin 7"2' chick who can't jump 5 inches to dunk, if they lower it to 9 feet it would be awesome to watch..what if they lowered the nba goal 6 inches..that'd be insane..dunkathon

.....An insanely bad idea.

[rrj_gamz]

Where did that bum get $10 million in the first place?
That's what I was thinking...That's a lot for a s-t investment...Man, the salaries are pathetic...I'm sure in the beginning, they play it b/c they love the sport and its an avenue for them to continue playing...but after a while, its a job like anything else...

[Mehdi]

No Comets thread is allowed to NOT have this video.

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kAFbVYbeqn4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kAFbVYbeqn4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>


lmao i remember this guy was at the playoff games vs JAZZ lmaoo

[MexAmercnMoose]

I can't believe the hilton guy paid 10 mil for the comets what was he thinking?
i heard he got it on a capitol one credit card :cool: ..smart move :o

[Cannonball]

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iYrnG-6uV94"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iYrnG-6uV94" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[plee]

Where did that bum get $10 million in the first place?

Same place Mattress Mack did...people buying furniture at their stores... :eek:

[Angkor Wat]

I can't ever see myself complaining about a professional athlete not making enough money. The season is something like four months and the pay does not include total benefits (any insurance, daily stipends, etc).



I agree, that is damn good money to play basketball or any sport for a living. Sheit, give me $30,000/year plus benefits and I'll play in any pro basketball league.

[Hippieloser]

I've never really understood the WNBA hate. Sure, it's boring and I don't watch it but if I had a daughter who really loved to play basketball I would like for her to have a role model or two. Sports are healthy for kids and it's encouraging for girls to see successful athletes of their own gender to look up to.

So while I have no interest in the WNBA's product, I'm not rooting for its failure! Also, any team that brings multiple titles to Houston is ok in my book.

[xcrunner51]

Same here. To think Sheryl Swoopes as a 4-time champion and 1 or 2-time MVP wasn't making at least a $100,000 a year? Never thought she wasn't making at least that much.

$100,000 for 4 months. According to google, the average wnba player makes 46-60k per season. Thats damn near median income for general population and they make it in 1/3 the time. True for being the tops of their athletic field they're getting paid next to nothing, but for an average person they make alot.

[A-Train]

$100,000 for 4 months. According to google, the average wnba player makes 46-60k per season. Thats damn near median income for general population and they make it in 1/3 the time. True for being the tops of their athletic field they're getting paid next to nothing, but for an average person they make alot.

The only problem is that they only make that for 10 years, if they're lucky.

[RIET]

Let's be real. The reason the WNBA sucks is because women basketball players are not world class athletes as compared to men.

A female attorney/exec/doctor is just as good as a man in their profession.

Female basketball players are not.

[pgabriel]

female basketball players aren't hot, that may have something to do with it also.

[JusBleezy]

I've never really understood the WNBA hate. Sure, it's boring and I don't watch it but if I had a daughter who really loved to play basketball I would like for her to have a role model or two. Sports are healthy for kids and it's encouraging for girls to see successful athletes of their own gender to look up to.

So while I have no interest in the WNBA's product, I'm not rooting for its failure! Also, any team that brings multiple titles to Houston is ok in my book.

I agree. They can't put themselves in another person's shoes and see it from their perspectives. There are many young girls that want to be in the WNBA one day. Just as men dream of the NBA.

If you don't like it, just don't watch it. Why would root against the league? I don't understand it.

[xcrunner51]

Let's be real. The reason the WNBA sucks is because women basketball players are not world class athletes as compared to men.

A female attorney/exec/doctor is just as good as a man in their profession.

Female basketball players are not.

World Class talent in basketball is judged like any other sport, against the same sex. Marion Jones can't beat the best male sprinters, does that mean she's not a world class athlete? No.

And there are plenty of cases where sports that don't have the best athletes are still popular, e.g. NCAA basketball.

You're basically saying that all women's sports are inferior because the women aren't as athletic as men.

[Master Baiter]

I agree, that is damn good money to play basketball or any sport for a living. Sheit, give me $30,000/year plus benefits and I'll play in any pro basketball league.
LOL, 93k isn't jack **** really. There are many many many many many many people that make a lot more than that. I'd bet there are more people on Clutchfans that make more than 93k than there are WNBA players combined. Remember, 93k was the MAX salary.

[AstroRocket]

World Class talent in basketball is judged like any other sport, against the same sex. Marion Jones can't beat the best male sprinters, does that mean she's not a world class athlete? No.

And there are plenty of cases where sports that don't have the best athletes are still popular, e.g. NCAA basketball.

You're basically saying that all women's sports are inferior because the women aren't as athletic as men.


Have you seen these chicks? Most of them brick layups, constantly fumble the ball off their feet, and shoot like their throwing a shot-put. The few of them that don't are made into "superstars." I hate the WNBA because of what it's doing to the beautiful game of basketball, the same reason I hated the Knicks and Heat in the 90s.

[SamFisher]

As for the "WNBA doesn't hurt you so I don't understand the hate" argument - it's not true. The harm is dispersed, but the fact is that the NBA heavily subsidizes the WNBA, and in turn passes on those subsidies, ultimately to NBA consumers in the form of higher prices for everything else.

It would be the same as if the NBA required every team to take a million dollars and put it on boat and sink it in the middle of the ocean. It's ultimately a waste, and a waste that is eventually passed on down the chain.

[RIET]

World Class talent in basketball is judged like any other sport, against the same sex. Marion Jones can't beat the best male sprinters, does that mean she's not a world class athlete? No.

And there are plenty of cases where sports that don't have the best athletes are still popular, e.g. NCAA basketball.

You're basically saying that all women's sports are inferior because the women aren't as athletic as men.

No. I said female basketball players (especially WNBA) stink compared to the men. Marion Jones may not be as fast as a man but she is very fluid.

WNBA players suck. They barely shoot 40% (despite a smaller ball) and it's not because they're amazing defensive players.

[nWo34Life]

Can't wait for the WNBA to dissolve. It's surprising ESPN/ABC still show their games.

[BigM]

LOL, 93k isn't jack **** really. There are many many many many many many people that make a lot more than that.


and there's a whole sh!tload more than that don't come anywhere close. these people play basketball 1/3 of the year for an average of $50,000. that's not a bad gig.

[texanskan]

and there's a whole sh!tload more than that don't come anywhere close. these people play basketball 1/3 of the year for an average of $50,000. that's not a bad gig.

yeah, I'm playing the worlds smallest violin as we speak

[Smokey]

Who cares? Good luck Tina in Europe. WAHHH.