“The money. The money’s great.” That blunt truth from a WNBA veteran about playing in China cuts through the noise, and it casts a sharp new light on Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s “fair deal” claim in the ongoing CBA negotiations. As stars chase million-dollar paydays overseas, the WNBA’s financial shortcomings are no longer just a talking point — they’re a talent drain. That quote about the money came during Day 2 of the Phoenix Mercury’s training camp when Mercury Center Kalani Brown was asked about her decision to play multiple offseasons in China. Her reasoning was simple but stark.
Overseas leagues like the WCBA offer jaw-dropping salaries, and there’s no secret to it. Liz Cambage once earned $1 million for a three-month stint with Sichuan. Brittney Griner reportedly made $600,000 for four months in 2013 — over 12 times her WNBA rookie salary of $49,440. In contrast, the WNBA’s 2024 super max sits at $241,984, and the minimum salary is just over $66,000. Players like Han Xu earn huge in China, as per Min News (in 2023), while pulling in just $62,285 in the WNBA.
Brown’s blunt honesty came with respect for the competition, too: “It’s a shorter season, the girls are brave… very competitive, very physical… I feel like their physicality is none the less likely.” Yet her words have reignited scrutiny on a domestic league still grappling with fair pay despite surging visibility.
At Day 2 of Phoenix Mercury training camp, Kalani Brown explained why she’s played in China during the WNBA offseason on several different occasions.
“The money. The money’s great.” #WNBA #ValleyTogether pic.twitter.com/C52Wtnfj5D
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) April 28, 2025
Engelbert, speaking at the WNBA Draft, maintained her stance: “We all want the players to make more money.” But she emphasized sustainability, citing a projected $40 million loss last season. The commissioner is now negotiating a new CBA after the WNBPA opted out of the 2020 agreement, with the threat of a strike looming if no agreement is reached by the end of the 2025 season. Chicago’s Angel Reese has already warned that players could “sit out” if better terms aren’t delivered.
Meanwhile, Unrivaled, the new three-on-three women’s league, has entered the scene with record-breaking payouts, averaging $222,000 per player. Paige Bueckers will make more in one Unrivaled season than over four years of her WNBA rookie contract ($348,198).
For Engelbert, the message is clear: until the WNBA compensates players at their true market value, the overseas lane, though grueling, will continue to draw America’s best talent.
Engelbert Eyes Expansion, But Boston Still in Limbo Despite Soaring WNBA Popularity
From being the first-ever female CEO of a Big Four consulting firm, Deloitte, to being appointed commissioner of the Women’s National Basketball Association in 2019, Cathy Engelbert says basketball ran in her DNA, so it seemed like a natural next step in her career.
Now, Cathy Engelbert finds herself at the heart of one of the WNBA’s hottest debates: expansion. The league is booming, and in just a year, it’s set to grow from 13 teams to potentially 16 by 2028, fueled by surging viewership and growing fan interest.
In 2025, the Golden State Valkyries will make their debut, followed by two more teams in 2026 — the Toronto Tempo and a yet-to-be-named franchise from Portland. That will bring the league to 15 teams, with Commissioner Engelbert already eyeing a 16th spot for Cleveland, thanks to a record-breaking $250 million bid. Cities like Philadelphia, Nashville, Denver, and Kansas City are all in the mix for future expansion.
And now it’s time for Boston. Or is it?
Apr 15, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kate Martin poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the number eighteen overall pick to the Las Vegas Aces in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking to the Associated Press Sports Editors at NBA headquarters in New York, Engelbert confirmed that the WNBA has not yet received a formal bid for a Boston franchise. This, despite mounting anticipation, vocal public support, and surging fan interest, especially after a sold-out Connecticut Sun vs. LA Sparks game at TD Garden last season. The Sun will return to the Garden this season to face the Indiana Fever and rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
A group led by Donnie Wahlberg and former NBA player Michael Carter-Williams, dubbed Boston Women’s Basketball Partners, is reportedly preparing a bid. Their efforts are backed by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. However, complications arise from the Connecticut Sun’s opposition to sharing the New England market. Mohegan Sun CEO Ray Pineault made his stance clear: “I don’t want another WNBA franchise in Boston.”
Yet, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver clarified that the Sun has no legal veto over Boston’s market, as it falls outside the team’s 75-mile marketing territory. While Boston remains a viable expansion site, the WNBA’s immediate focus is on confirmed additions: San Francisco, Portland, and Toronto. Cleveland is expected to join as the 16th team by 2028. The Golden State Valkyries will debut this season.
As Engelbert continues to build the WNBA’s future — balancing financial constraints, expansion politics, and player welfare — her leadership is under sharper scrutiny than ever. Whether Boston makes the leap will depend not just on popularity, but on navigating territorial tensions and ownership approval.
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