Bill Simmons Foresees WNBA Breaking Up Like NBA-ABA Split

Bill Simmons recently made some bold predictions on "The Bill Simmons Podcast" regarding the future of the WNBA, suggesting a scenario reminiscent of the historic  NBA-ABA split in 1967. Simmons speculated about the emergence of an alternate league that could challenge the WNBA’s status quo, spurred by player dissatisfaction with current salaries and conditions.

"What if there’s an alternate league? This is how the ABA started, right? The NBA players — underpaid, didn’t make enough money, didn’t really have some basic labor stuff in their favor until they unionized in ’64."

"But then the ABA came in ‘67. And guess what? All of a sudden all this s**t changed and salaries went up by four times. And then in the 70s, all of a sudden, NBA players were worth three times what they used to be worth."

"The thing that I think is gonna happen is I think somebody’s gonna try to form an alternate league. Because it’s not like all of these WNBA players are tied to their teams forever, right? So you could start a league. You’d be like, ‘You know what? We have more money over here.’ That would seem to be the move." (6:34)

Simmons sees a potential parallel situation brewing in the WNBA, which will sign a $2.2 billion media deal for 11 years. Despite this significant increase, many, including WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson and basketball legend Cheryl Miller, believe the deal still undervalues the league, especially in light of its recent resurgence and increased viewership. This resurgence is largely attributed to the influx of new talent, such as rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.

The WNBA deal is part of the NBA's massive $77 billion media rights deal, with the NBA owning 50% of the WNBA. This arrangement underscores the intertwined fates of the two leagues.  However, despite the significant financial boost from the deal, the WNBA has historically struggled with financial stability since its inception in 1996.

Despite efforts to expand and increase the number of games, the league has had to shut down several franchises and deal with financial constraints. This background fuels the concern that current measures may not suffice to secure long-term growth and player satisfaction.

Simmons posited that an alternate league could emerge, attracting top talent by offering better compensation and conditions. "It’s gonna lead to a labor strike is what’s gonna happen," he noted, pointing out that the players' growing influence and dissatisfaction with the pay disparity compared to their NBA counterparts could catalyze such a movement.

The WNBA players’ average viewership and popularity are approaching those of the NBA, with star-driven games even surpassing some NBA viewership numbers. As Derek Thompson highlighted on the podcast, WNBA games featuring Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have drawn impressive ratings, further emphasizing the league's potential.

However, with salaries stagnating despite growing revenues, Simmons' prediction of a labor strike or the formation of an alternate league doesn’t seem far-fetched. Players like Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart have already taken steps towards creating new platforms, such as their 3×3 league, Unrivaled, which promises to pay the highest average salary in women’s professional sports and offer equity to its inaugural players.

In essence, Simmons' foresight suggests that unless the WNBA addresses these underlying issues, it could face significant upheaval similar to the transformative era of the NBA-ABA rivalry.

A Lookback On The NBA-ABA Split

The NBA-ABA split was a significant chapter in professional basketball history that spanned from 1967 to 1976. The American Basketball Association (ABA) was established as a rival league to the National Basketball Association (NBA), bringing a fresh, more flamboyant style of play that challenged the established norms of the NBA. The ABA introduced innovations like the three-point line and a more entertainment-focused approach to games, which attracted fans and players alike.

The ABA's formation in 1967 led to intense competition for talent between the two leagues. The ABA was able to lure top prospects with lucrative contracts, sometimes outbidding the NBA. Notable players like Julius Erving (Dr. J), George Gervin, and Artis Gilmore started their careers in the ABA. The league's style of play was faster and more dynamic, emphasizing offense, which appealed to many fans and players.

Despite its initial success and popularity, the ABA struggled financially. The league faced issues with stability, as several franchises relocated or folded. However, the ABA was also innovative, introducing the three-point line, a flashy red, white, and blue basketball, and a more entertainment-oriented game presentation, which included slam dunk contests and cheerleaders.

The financial difficulties and instability eventually led to the ABA seeking a merger with the NBA. By 1976, after several years of negotiations, the two leagues agreed to a merger. Four ABA teams— Denver Nuggets , Indiana Pacers , New York Nets (now Brooklyn Nets ), and San Antonio Spurs —joined the NBA. This merger brought significant talent to the NBA and incorporated some of the ABA's innovations, such as the three-point line, which was adopted by the NBA in 1979.

The merger resolved the competition between the leagues and helped stabilize professional basketball in the United States. It brought a more exciting style of play to the NBA and increased its popularity. The merger also led to the integration of the ABA’s best players into the NBA, enriching the league's talent pool and paving the way for future stars.

The legacy of the NBA-ABA merger is seen today in the high-paced, entertainment-driven nature of professional basketball. The influx of talent and ideas from the ABA helped the NBA grow into the global powerhouse it is now, proving that competition and innovation can drive significant positive change in sports.

Related: Bill Simmons Slams Raptors For Signing Scottie Barnes To 5-Year, $270 Million Contract

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