Y’all know I love basketball. I played for six years growing up.

I ran the drills, hit the layups, sweated through those hot summer tournaments with no AC in the gym. So when I watch the WNBA, I don’t just see a game. I see the work. The sacrifice. The skill. The sisterhood. These women are the real deal and they deserve so much more than what they’re getting paid.

At this year’s WNBA All-Star Weekend, the players wore shirts that said, “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” And honestly, that gave me chills. Because they’re not asking for the world. They’re asking for fairness.

I desperately wanted to be at the WNBA All Star Weekend this year but I was busy. I promised myself I'll be there next year. 

That aside, I know business can be tough and there are ebbs and flows. So I know first hand what it feels like not being profitable and not having more money for team when your back is against the ropes. 

That said, the WNBA has seen incredible growth in the past 3 years. 

The Pay Gap Is Wild — Even in Pro Sports

We already know that women make 84 cents on the dollar compared to men—and even less if you’re Black or Latina. But in pro basketball, the gap is way worse.

Most WNBA players are making less than $100,000 a year, even though they’re the top 144 players in the world. Meanwhile, the NBA’s minimum salary is over $1.1 million. Yes, that’s the minimum. And yet, the WNBA players are out here showing up, balling out, and carrying the league on their backs while still fighting just to be seen and respected.

“They Don’t Make Money” — But That’s Not the Whole Truth

Now, I already know what some folks will say: “Well the WNBA doesn’t bring in as much money as the NBA.” But let’s unpack that, because it’s not as simple as it sounds.

First of all, the WNBA has exploded in value over the past few years. We’re talking 2 to 3 times growth. Franchises are now worth $100 million or more, and the league just signed a huge media deal worth $60 million a year. Attendance is up. Social media is booming. Jersey sales? Through the roof.

So yes, while the WNBA used to operate at a loss, that’s not where they are anymore. And even if it were, let’s not forget: every business needs time to grow. The NBA lost money for years. Amazon didn’t turn a profit for over a decade. But when it’s women, suddenly the rules change? That’s not right.

What the Players Are Asking For

They’re not asking for NBA money (yet). They’re asking for basic fairness:

• Maternity leave — Because women shouldn’t have to choose between family and career.

• A percentage of jersey and ticket sales — Just like the men get.

• Increased base salaries — Especially now that the league is generating more revenue than ever.

As someone who built CurlMix from my kitchen with nothing but a dream and a hand mixer, I get what it means to fight for your worth. To pour everything you have into something and still have to prove you deserve your share. That’s what these women are doing—and it’s personal.

Let’s Be Honest About the Double Standards

When male athletes make millions, nobody blinks. But when women ask for more than six figures, they’re told to be “grateful.” When a tech startup loses money, investors see “potential.” But when a women’s league does the same, they say, “See? It’s not working.”

Let me ask you something: When has growth ever been linear for anybody? Businesses, brands, leagues—everything successful takes time. And the WNBA has more than proven itself. These women aren’t a charity case. They’re the product. They’re the show. They are the reason people are watching. So they should be getting paid accordingly.

This Is Bigger Than Basketball

This fight isn’t just about basketball. It’s about equity. It’s about the value of women’s work. It’s about what kind of world we’re building for the next generation—our daughters, nieces, little sisters. It’s about what happens when women say no more to being overworked and underpaid.

As a Black woman founder, a mom, and a former baller, I stand with these athletes. And I hope you will too.

Let’s keep pushing. Let’s keep showing up. And let’s keep saying it loud:

Pay. Us. What. You. Owe. Us.

With love and fire,
Kim Lewis
Founder & CEO, CurlMix 💛🏀