The locker room is stunned by the announcement. A few seconds before finding himself among the Aces players, Steve Hill, CEO of Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, warned: “ The Aces have had a historic run, double world champions. We are here to do something historic with them too. »
BREAKING: We're doing something that's never been done before. We're going #ALLINLV and sponsorship EVERY. SINGLE. PLAYER. on the @LVAces roster this season! pic.twitter.com/ntBZVZeFJu
— Las Vegas (@Vegas) May 17, 2024
In this case, an agreement in which the tourist entity will provide annual sponsorship of… $100,000 to each Aces player for this season and 2025. A significant sum when we know that the two highest paid players on the team , A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, each earned $200,000.
A new deal for the Aces
Enough to attract the attention of the WNBA which, as reported by ESPN, opened an investigation into the agreement concluded. The alleged extra benefits were also the subject of a league investigation into the Aces last season, as were allegations by now-Sparks player Dearica Hamby that the Aces traded her because she was pregnant.
The Las Vegas players also beat those of Los Angeles on Saturday evening, despite Dearica Hamby's 29 points. After the meeting, Becky Hammon clarified that the sponsorship mentioned above seems to be well launched, but that it does not involve the franchise as such.
“ Most sponsors target our two best players. (A’ja Wilson) is taken care of, she has lots of things going on, (Kelsey Plum) Also. In this situation, from what I understand, they wanted the whole team. So they called the agents individually. I don't know the details. I had nothing to do with it; Aces have nothing to do with it », says the coach.
A'ja Wilson, who has just learned on her phone of the opening of the investigation, wonders: “ This is something that has never happened before. I don't understand the investigation, I haven't delved into it yet. I just looked at my phone (after the game) and I was like, 'Oh, wow, just another day in the life of Aces.' »
A rookie pinches himself to believe it
According to ESPN, this deal does not violate the WNBA salary cap because the authority did not orchestrate the sponsorship with the club. But other teams are likely to question the fairness of the sponsorship and whether it violates the spirit of the cap rules. Because this kind of financial promise is likely to offer a good argument to the Aces, to recruit free agents.
“ Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming, but this is real life, and it's what all these players deserve. I wouldn't get this crazy bonus if all these players hadn't played exceptionally well over the last few years », Enthuses rookie Kate Martin who will receive $67,000 in salary this season.
Author of 22 points and 10 rebounds in the match, A'ja Wilson would prefer that the local approach be applauded, rather than questioned: “ When it comes to developing the game, taking the next step, you can't always just investigate, investigate, investigate. Rather, we must say: 'We are trying to make things happen for the franchises, the players and the teams.' »
Delighted to be supported in this way by the city and the franchise, Wilson concludes: “ I'm happy with or without that $100,000, because at the end of the day, we're aiming for something bigger than that. »
