RELATED: LeBron James’ $37M mansion is demolished in unreal before vs. after aerial images<\/a><\/p>\n Maverick Carter is sending shockwaves across both the NBA and WNBA. \/ IMAGO \/ Depositphotos<\/p>\n It was to put the pieces in place to possibly destroy the NBA and WNBA.<\/p>\n RELATED: Bronny James distances himself from LeBron with surprising quote<\/a><\/p>\n LeBron James on a yacht with Nikola Jokic\u2019s agent. Peep the caption \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/MQ8My9g2bj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mark Jackson\u2019s Burner (@casualtakeking) July 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Front Office Sports<\/a> dropped a bombshell today on the latest details of the worst kept secret: Maverick Carter is putting together a rival basketball league with funding backed by the controversial Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, amongst other big-time investors, tentatively slated to begin in the fall of 2026. <\/p>\n (At this point, James is reportedly not involved, but it’s hard to believe LeBron’s bestie and business partner is doing this without King James’ complicit buy-in.)<\/p>\n While the NBA will most likely survive the arms race for top-tier talent, the WNBA is much more vulnerable.<\/p>\n Here’s why.<\/p>\n RELATED: Savannah James\u2019 see-through, black-lace dress on LeBron date in France causes stir<\/a><\/p>\n LeBron James could eventually be his own No. 1 pick in a rival basketball league. \/ Robert Deutsch\/USA TODAY \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n The maximum annual salary for a WNBA player is $250,000, with Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young technically the highest paid at $252,450 per season. Her three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson somehow only makes $200,000 annually.<\/p>\n A’ja Wilson should be screaming only making $200k annually in the WNBA. \/ Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n With a contentious labor dispute, even if the players get what they deserve at a much higher annual salary, it will never compare to what the LIV Golf-like basketball league could offer the biggest names like Caitlin Clark, currently still on her rookie deal making on average $84,514. <\/p>\n Carter is reportedly raising $5 billion initially, so A-list names like Clark could be making $250k every quarter of every game, not to mention the equity component.<\/p>\n (Of course mega superstars like Clark make most of their money in endorsements, like the reported eight year, $28 million deal with Nike. Wilson dropped her first signature Nike shoe, the A’One, this year and is said to have one of the most lucrative women’s shoe deals too, having signed a six-year extension.)<\/p>\n Caitlin Clark would be one of the biggest chess pieces for the Carter backed league. \/ Grace Hollars\/IndyStar \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n Unlike Unrivaled, where players make $222k on average with a minimum of $100k in the WNBA offseason, with spot bonuses like $250k for winning the one-on-one tournament, this new league is a full-time responsibility.<\/p>\n So with six women’s teams to match the six men’s squads, that would drain the WNBA of nearly every big-time name, and given the league’s ratings and revenue are disproportionately tied to names like Clark, it would be hard to sustain the W, who has enjoyed exponentially higher valuations, led by the Golden State Valkyries at $500 million.<\/p>\n Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images<\/p>\n This will unnerve the NBA too, since the league’s biggest stars, like LeBron and Stephen Curry, have been frustrated that they’ve been exploited at the benefit of their team’s owners with no ability to get an equity stake.<\/p>\n The Golden State Warriors were worth $315 million when they drafted Curry. They’re now worth over $9 billion, which at the time was No. 1 overall until the Los Angeles Lakers sold for a $10 billion valuation last month. The Indiana Fever went from $90 million to $370 million in only a year thanks to Clark.<\/p>\n The F1-like touring format feels odd, but for WNBA stars and older NBA legends playing presumably a much less strenuous schedule, it will almost certainly be a no-brainer decision. <\/p>\n The NBA is also trying to fast track a new league in Europe, so it’s a great time to be a marquee basketball name, much like it was for golf stars when LIV Golf was created.<\/p>\n And if you’re the WNBA, good luck surviving.<\/p>\n \u2014 Enjoy free dish of rich and fabulous players with The Athlete Lifestyle on SI <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n New WNBA besties: Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese crush duo locker room dance<\/a><\/p>\n Love on the links: Klay Thompson dresses gf Megan Thee Stallion in first-ever golf fit<\/a><\/p>\n Who\u2019s that girl?: LeBron James\u2019 wife Savannah looks unrecognizable with new \u2018do<\/a><\/p>\n Proud bro: Josh Allen is emotional proud brother for sister\u2019s Bills\u2019 inspired baby news<\/a><\/p>\n Windy City stopper?: Northwestern shows off snow-proof most expensive CFB stadium<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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