Reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson wants owners to increase financial investments in their teams ahead of this weekend’s all-star festivities in Las Vegas, where the Aces star is a team captain.
“We sometimes have to look the owners in the face and tell them to make a decision,” Wilson told Front Office Sports. “Either you’re going to give us everything you’ve got and your team and go from there, or you’re going to bring in someone who actually cares.”
WNBA teams are always limit As for charter flights, despite this year’s expanded program, Wilson’s Aces were even fined for violating travel rules. Wilson says she feels lucky that Aces owner Mark Davis “wanted us to be able to feel and be professional athletes, and he treated us like one.”
The Aces have the only dedicated training center uniquely to a WNBA team – a disparity other players noticed it.
“People kind of chase the league, obviously, because it’s an easy target,” Wilson said. “But at some point you have to start looking at the owners.”
New money
Wilson – brand ambassador for All-Star Game title sponsor AT&T, who helps promote it candle company — said she believes increased corporate investment in the WNBA will also help achieve players’ individual goals. “The most important thing is to delve into more than just the athlete we are,” she said.
Additional revenue could also lead to expanded rosters or new teams — a topic Wilson said she feels the WNBA is not ready to address until its 144 players are in a better collective position.
“I would love to expand our league,” Wilson said. “But at the same time, I think we need to take care of the ones that are there now, before we really start to expand.”
