Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, didn’t hold back in calling out the critics of WNBA player salaries, especially after players made a bold statement at the 2025 All-Star Game with shirts that read, “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” In a passionate video shared on X, Portnoy pointed out the absurdity of the pay disparity, highlighting how rookie Caitlin Clark earns far less than Barstool personalities despite her rising stardom. As the conversation about equal pay intensifies, one question remains: how much longer can the WNBA continue to underpay its stars?

Dave Portnoy Calls Out Critics of WNBA Player Salaries, Urges Equal Pay

Dave Portnoy, the outspoken founder and owner of Barstool Sports, has taken to social media to voice his frustration with those who argue that WNBA players don’t deserve higher pay. His comments came after WNBA players made a bold statement at the All-Star Game on July 19, 2025, wearing warm-up shirts emblazoned with the words “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” Portnoy, in a passionate video and post shared on X (formerly Twitter), expressed his strong belief that female athletes in the league deserve more financial recognition, especially as the WNBA’s success continues to grow.

Portnoy’s Strong Defense of WNBA Players

In his video, Portnoy expressed disbelief over how some people continue to argue against paying WNBA players higher salaries. He pointed out the disparity between Caitlin Clark’s rookie salary of $76,000 and the earnings of Barstool personalities like Nicky Smokes and Ben Mintz, noting that both of them make more than Clark despite her rising stardom. Portnoy called the disparity “insane,” stressing that women in sports should be compensated for their skill and the increasing popularity of the league.

For context, the average WNBA salary in 2024 was reported to be $147,745, which Portnoy pointed out is a far cry from the revenue being generated by the league. Despite the league’s financial struggles in the past, with reports stating a loss of $40 million expected in 2025, Portnoy argued that this financial hardship doesn’t reflect the league’s true growth. He attributed the “messy” financial situation to the WNBA being tied to the NBA, where financials are often “purposefully murky.”

The League’s Growth and Future Potential

Portnoy made it clear that he sees the WNBA as a league on the rise. He pointed to the surging franchise values, growing ticket sales, increasing merchandise sales, and a highly lucrative TV rights deal, which included an 11-year, $2.2 billion agreement with Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBCUniversal. With TV ratings up 23%, ticket sales rising 26%, and attendance increasing by 13%, Portnoy believes that the league’s success is undeniable and that the players deserve a greater share of the profits.

He emphasized that for the first time in the history of the WNBA, players are starting to have more leverage in their negotiations, particularly as they opt out of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to secure better contracts. According to Portnoy, the financial success of the league is “exploding,” and it is only fair that the players are compensated accordingly.

Caitlin Clark and the Future of the WNBA

One of the focal points of Portnoy’s argument was Caitlin Clark, the rising star of women’s basketball. Portnoy, one of Clark’s most vocal fans, dismissed the idea that the WNBA’s success is solely reliant on Clark’s individual popularity. While Clark’s early success has certainly been a major catalyst, Portnoy believes that her presence will only help fuel a long-lasting movement for women’s sports. He noted that Clark is just in her second year of what is expected to be a 15-year career, and her influence, alongside other rising stars like Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, marks a bright future for the WNBA.

Portnoy also pointed to the emergence of young talent like JuJu Watkins, suggesting that these new stars will continue to drive the league’s growth. He expressed confidence that the WNBA’s future is secure, even beyond the immediate rise of Clark, as the next generation of female athletes steps up to the plate.

Portnoy’s Bold Offer to Invest in the WNBA

In a bold statement of support for the WNBA, Portnoy revealed that he would not hesitate to invest in the league if given the chance. He mentioned that if he could purchase a Boston-based WNBA franchise for $250 million, he would “do it without blinking.” His willingness to invest in the league underscores his belief in its long-term potential, and he emphasized that this is all the proof one needs to understand the financial opportunity within the WNBA.

In conclusion, Portnoy’s passionate stance on WNBA salaries is a call for change, urging the league to pay its players what they truly deserve. With the WNBA’s growth showing no signs of slowing down, many are now asking the question: how long can the league continue to underpay its top players as the financial rewards become more and more evident? Portnoy’s remarks are sure to keep the conversation about equal pay in sports alive, especially as women’s sports continue to gain traction both in the media and among fans.