Cheryl Miller, coaching the WNBA All-Stars against the Team USA All-Stars in a thrilling game that ended 117-109 in favor of her team, did not hold back when discussing the WNBA’s latest multi-billion dollar television rights deal.
Miller, renowned for her legendary basketball career and as the sister of NBA great Reggie Miller, expressed her dissatisfaction with the agreement, calling it a “lowball” offer.
“That’s a lowball…Not enough. Not even close,” Miller stated during a post-game interview. “I’m not trying to inflate it a whole lot, but a two is nice, an eight would be better (in terms of billions of dollars). That’s what I’m talking about because they know.”
The deal in question, negotiated by the NBA, which owns 60% of the WNBA, and approved by its Board of Governors, is an 11-year, $76 billion contract, resulting in a $2.2 billion payout to the WNBA.
While Miller acknowledged that the deal is an improvement, she emphasized that it falls short of what the league deserves.
“We’ve certainly come a long way,” Miller said. “I’m not about gouging, but it’s a long time overdue, and we’re going to continue to get better and better. And all you have to do is look at college basketball and what’s coming next.”
Miller’s comments highlight ongoing concerns about the valuation and investment in women’s sports, particularly as the WNBA continues to grow in popularity and viewership.
