Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr. is facing criticism from WNBA players after drawing a comparison between women’s basketball and ping pong during a recent podcast appearance. Earlier this month, Porter Jr. garnered attention for wearing Breanna Stewart’s signature shoes as a way to raise awareness for the WNBA and express support for pay equity in an interview with Boardroom.
However, in the recent podcast, Porter Jr. expressed the opinion that the talent of WNBA players should not automatically lead to a change in the pay gap. Using ping pong as an analogy, he acknowledged the talent of female basketball players but argued that different sports have varying levels of compensation based on what audiences prefer to watch.
While he emphasized his understanding of women wanting equal treatment and respect for their craft, Porter Jr. highlighted the differences in factors such as arena attendance and TV deals between men’s and women’s basketball. He suggested that while equal pay may not be feasible, there could be avenues to increase earnings for female athletes due to their undeniable talent.
this wasn’t advocating for women’s hoops at all smh it’s actually insulting https://t.co/bwbJDLixIe pic.twitter.com/NArMYhzTvJ
— alexis (@alexisfromvegas) February 3, 2024
Following his comparison between women’s basketball and ping pong, Michael Porter Jr. went on to suggest the idea of lowering the rims to increase slam dunks, responding to Channing Crowder’s comment on ‘The Pivot’ podcast that the WNBA is less exciting.
In response to Porter Jr.’s earlier remarks on equal pay, former NFL safety and podcast host Ryan Clark clarified that female players are not necessarily seeking identical pay but rather an equal “revenue share.” Clark emphasized the importance of negotiations, labor unions, and the desire for a fair percentage of revenue, with the focus on equitable treatment within their respective organizations.
This viewpoint aligns with statements made by Aces guard Kelsey Plum in 2022, who previously emphasized that players are advocating for being “paid the same percentage of revenue shared.”
@thepivot what’s up yall, let’s chat 😜
— Kelsey Plum (@Kelseyplum10) February 3, 2024
In a previous interview with Boardroom last month, Michael Porter Jr. explained that his choice to wear Breanna Stewart’s shoes was not only a gesture to raise awareness for the WNBA but also a tribute to the female basketball players in his own family. He specifically mentioned his mother, Lisa, who demonstrated remarkable talent by averaging 58.7 points per game during her high school senior year.
Porter Jr. expressed a sense of pride in breaking the norm of men typically not wearing women’s shoes, seeing it as an opportunity to represent and appreciate the accomplishments of female athletes. He highlighted his longstanding respect for women in basketball, especially emphasizing his mother’s prowess and considering her to be arguably the best player in the family.
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