SF Board of Supervisors back Golden State Valkyries, WNBA pushes for equitable pay

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- In the push for more equitable pay for WNBA Players, San Francisco are putting their finger on the scale.

On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution supporting our local Golden State Valkyries and the league in their efforts to be fairly compensated.

Video in the media player above is from a previous update

The Bay Area is no stranger to valuable sports franchises. And in their first season, the Golden State Valkyries are already the most valuable franchise and ownership group in the WNBA and the most valuable women's professional team ever.

Because of this, players spoke out in June saying that they want to be fairly compensated.

"As the league grows, it's time for a CBA that reflects our true values," GSV Guard Tiffany Hayes said. "We're fighting for a fair share of the business that we build."

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Tuesday, a resolution in front of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors supported the team's fight for a new, fair collective bargaining agreement.

It's a push felt across the WNBA - centered around basketball related income, or BRI.

The NBA is more profitable and players play more games, but the compensation at scale is nowhere near.

Currently, NBA players receive 51% of their leagues BRI, whereas WNBA players only get 9% of their own basketball related income.

Dr. Shaun Fletcher is an associate professor of public relations and sports communications at San Jose State and he says this isn't about the WNBA players wanting to be paid like LeBron James or Stephen Curry.

"That is the furthest thing from the truth," Feltcher said. "WNBA players are looking for equitable pay, not equal pay to NBA players."

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Fletcher says the league is expanding and will benefit from a new $200 million media rights deal and support from San Francisco leaders only adds to this leverage.

"Oftentimes, a little PR goes a long way," Fletcher said. "Even if perhaps they don't make the final decisions, having more individuals and powerful entities that are on your side will help."

WNBA players opted out of their current collective bargaining agreement in search of a new deal. The CBA will expire at the end of October.