How Griner’s Detainment inspired WNBA’s new Prioritization Clause

The upcoming WNBA season is going to be much different from the previous editions of the league. From now on, the players will have to report to their sides at the beginning of the season or else go through suspension. However, reporting back on time in 2023 is not as easy as it looks. The WNBA off-season sees numerous players playing abroad.

The case of Brittney Griner has highlighted the risks of competing in foreign leagues for lucrative contracts. Griner who was contracted with the Russian side UMMC Ekaterinburg was arrested at an airport near Moscow. She was accused of carrying just less than a gram of cannabis.  

Storm guard, Breanna Stewart while playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg made $1.5 million a season. That compared to the $228094 she earned playing in the WNBA, shows foreign leagues use lucrative contracts to attract players.

Prioritization Clause explained

The clause goes into effect in 2023 and states that players playing abroad will have to return to their home clubs for training camp.  Those found breaking the rule will be fined or suspended.  The Prioritization clause was first presented in WNBA’s 2020 collective bargaining agreement, which saw the players and league agreeing upon the new rules.

The clause is meant to attract the player to stay in the league even during the offseason.  Incentivizing players in order for them to prioritize the WNBA over foreign leagues. However, the issue still remains as star athletes will still earn much more remunerating contracts overseas. In an interview regarding the above, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said:

“We have to build an economic model. We are only 26 years young. We are building rivalries. We are building household names.”

She added, “There are also internship opportunities that aren’t part of big marketing agreements like the stars might get or endorsements from corporations.” Such internships will nurture the players with the necessary skills that will help the players in their lives post-retirement from the sport.

Whether or not opportunities offered by the WNBA are enough to keep the player from moving abroad is still a big doubt. 

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